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 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sister-barne, n. Also: syster-, sester- and -bairn(e, -bearne. [Sister n.¹ 1 and Barne n. 1.] a. A sister's child. b. To be sister bairnis (also, with another), to be another's cousin, the two mothers being sisters. c. Sister and brethir barnes (to or with another), cousins, by virtue of the father of one and the mother of the other being brother and sister.a. 1590 Crawford Mun. Invent. 4 Nov. II 197.
Sir, parrell nocht sisterbairnis heritage c1590 Red Bk. Grandtully II 135.
Rycht honerabell and sester barnes … For samekell as ȝe sall wet that [etc.]b. 1611 Reg. Panmure I xxxv.
He hanted the companie … of the lord Gray … quha wes sister bearnes withe him 1616 Ritchie Ch. S. Baldred 145.
Johne Airthe … accusit of fornication with the said Jonet Watsone … being also syster bairnis 1680 Cloud of Witnesses 55.
I was a gentleman that had blood relation to his relations, the Earl of Mar's mother and I being sister-bairnsc. 1564 Crim. Trials I i 443.
He and the Lard of Merchamestonis wyfe wes sister and brethir bairnis a1578 Pitsc. I 235/14.
Schir Patrick Hamilltoun was brother german to the Earle of Arrane and sister and brether bairnes to the kingis maiestie 1600 Crim. Trials II 145.
Mr. George Innes … sister and brether bairnis with Johne Roise