Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BURBENK, Borbenk, n. and v.
1. n. “A low, supporting wall of earth and stone, built outside, against the wall of a house or byre” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), borbenk s.v. borbakk); “a bank built against a failing wall to protect and strengthen it; a fillet of cement around the base of a chimney can; any similar appliance” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., burbenk).
2. v. “To fortify a frail building with a bank of turf or stones” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).
[O.N. barð, brim, edge, + Norw. bænk, a bench, a long narrow terrace on a mountainside (Falk and Torp); cf. Bink, n.1]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Burbenk n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 10 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/burbenk>
