Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Brekis, Breikis, n. pl. Also: brecis, breks, brex; breik(e)s, breikk(i)s, breick(i)s; breeks. [Pl. of Breke n., corresp. to e.m.E. breeches, brieches, ME. brechis.] Breeches, trousers.(a) 1494 Treas. Acc. I. 224.
Ane greit hude, coit and brekis 1503 Ib. II. 211.
For ane elne wellus to be brekis to ane pair of the same hos 1542–3 Ib. VIII. 170.
For ane coit, sark, and brekis … to ane puir boy 1576 Crim. Trials I. ii. 51.
Ane pair of gray brekis and quhyte schankis 1601 Misc. Spald. C. II. 145.
Tua pair of brekis, ane pair of schort hoise 1610 Rec. Old Aberd. I. 49.
Calling of him suetie hatt, clipit brecis c1650 Spalding I. 347.
Clothis made wp in cot and brekis(b) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 985.
Thay … maid thame breikis of leuis grene 1558 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 270.
Twa ledderone skynnis till be ane pair of breiks to the gray freir 1562-3 Winȝet I. 52/18.
Forgeing thair sermonis … efter the fassoun of schipmenis breiks, mete for euery leg 1574 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 104.
Jonet Cadye … being delatit to the kirk for disagysing of hir in welvot breikis 1596 Dalr. I. 93/21.
Breickis thay had verie slichte, and indeid mair to hyd thair memberis than for ony pompe or pryd 1630 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 374.
To by alsmekill kairsay claithe as to be coitt, breikis, and hois c1650 Spalding I. 34.
Ane brave company of tounes soldiouris, all cled in white satein doubletis, blak veluot breikis, and silk stokingis 1647 Caldwell P. I. 99.
For twa elnes plyding to lyne his breicks(c) 1649 Cupar Presb. 138.
Androw Patrik … stayed their … sheaping the breeks 1700 Foulis Acc. Bk. 275.
His count for making my black cloathes for Lady Killocks buriall, coat, breeks, and justicoat