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.
Bikker, Bicker, v. Also: bikkir, -yr, bykker, -ir, -yr, bikyr, byker. [ME. bikere (1330), bykere (also beker-, becker), of obscure origin.]
1. tr. To assail with arrows or other missiles.1375 Barb. ix. 152.
Thair archaris furth to thame thai send To bykkir thame Ib. xvi. 104.
Than twa … At the wode-syde thame bykkirrit thar, And schot emang the Scottis men c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyting 204.
The laidis … bickerit thé with mony bae and bleit 1506 Treas. Acc. III. 140.
To the men that bikyrrit the somir castell 1526 Ib. V. 275.
Item, gevin for eggis to bikkir the castell 15.. Christis K. 159.
The buschment hail about him brak And bikkerit him with bowis
2. intr. To skirmish with arrows or other missiles; to make skirmishing attacks.c1420 Wynt. viii. 4873.
As thai bykeryd thare a day, Off a gret schot I sall yhow say Ib. 5590.
Thai, that at that assege lay, Fast war bykkerand ilk day c1475 Wall. iv. 556.
Ynglis archaris, … Amang the Scottis bykkerit with all thair mycht Ib. ix. 848.
On thair enemys thai bykkyr with gud speid c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 194.
Thay come, and bikkerit vnabaisitly Id. xxxiii. 91.
Thik was the clud of kayis and crawis … That bikkrit at his berd with blawis 1529 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 8.
And ony persone be fund bikkyrand, that thar faderis and masteris sall ansuer … for thair deidis 1535 Stewart 8003.
The bowmen … with thair bowis bikkerit on the bent Ib. 56623.
The bowmen … Bikkerit at thame that stude vpoun the waw
