Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BURGES, Burgess, Burghess, n. Used attrib. in comb. with thread: flaxen thread (Sh. 1905 E.D.D. Suppl., burges; Sh.⁷, Ork.², Cai.⁷ 1937). [′bʌrdʒəs]Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 80:
Luik i' da locker o' dy kist, lass, doo micht a laid hit in. Did doo no pit da preens an' burghess treeds dere?Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. Ork. Par. (1922) 96:
A “whitey-broon burgess” (linen) thread was securely fixed round the tooth by a running noose.