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: 1513, 1597-1643
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Birsie, Byrsy, a. [f. Birs n.] Bristly. 1513 Doug. x. iv. 127.
The monstre … With byrsy body … and vissage All rowgh of harys a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 38 (Wr.).
The bearded buck … With birsie baires and brocks 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 141.
Thow receauit ane stick with certaine reid birssie yarne thairone 1643 Elgin Rec. I. 280.
John Thomson, flesher, alias birsie
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"Birsie adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/birsie>
