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.
Quotation dates: 1505-1683
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Birn irne, n. Also: birne, byrne; yrne, yron, iron. Also late variants: burne iron, burne yron, burne irne, burn iron. [Northern ME. birne iron (1485).] A branding iron. (Cf. Birning irne,n.)(a) 1505 Treasurer's Accounts III. 149.
To Henry, lorymair, for ane byrne irn to the Kingis staggis 1529 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 124.
Ane byrne irne to be put vpone thair chekis that brekis ony of the saidis statutis 1578 Inverness B. Rec. I. 264.
Thai salbe brynt on the cheik wvth ane byrne irne 1594 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 103.
The rowping … of the birne irnis and stampis 1609 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs II. 184.
The barrellis … to be brunt with the byrne yrne of the brugh 1671 Rec. Old Aberd. I. 122.
That ther be a seall or birne yron maid for marking of all timber [etc.] 1683 Ann. Banff I. 162.
If she return, she is … to be brunt on the cheek … with ane hot key or birn iron(b) 1639 Acts V. 598/1.
The nixt frie burgh shall send thair marker and burne iron to any vnfre burgh 1647 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 82.
Marking of them with ane burne yron 1663 Ann. Banff I. 148.
To be brunt with the tounes burne irne 1664 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I. 492.
To cause … Brodie be marked with ane burn irones
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"Birn Irne n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/birn_irne>
