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.
Bir, Byr, n. [Northern ME. bir, byrre, ON. byr-r fair wind, breeze, = OE. byre (ME. byre, bire, bere, etc.).] Force or impetus; a strong rush or onward movement.?1438 Alex. i. 2628.
Sadill, renȝe, girth and patrall At that grit bir war brokin all a1500 Henr. Fab. 1763.
Sum with ane bir thay braidit ouer the bent a1500 Seven S. 437.
The grewhound that lay thairby Baid hir batell for all hir bir 1513 Doug. i. ii. 15.
Les thai [the winds] suld at thar will Beir with thar byr the skyis Ib. iii. iv. 47.
The rowt vpstartis Of thai birdis, with byr and mony a bray Ib. xii. v. 113.
He … dyd cast A weirly dart onon with all his byr c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matt. viii. 32.]
[In a gret bir al the draue went heidling into the see 1570 Warrender P. MS. a. 132b.
Becaws he is now … entred in disgrace of Ingland, so that he wil beir thair first bir
