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: 1400-1535
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Birthing, Byrthyng, n. [ME. birthin, birthen (also -ene, -an, -un), late OE. byrðyn, OE. byrðen. In Sc. usually Birding.] A burden. 14.. Acts I. 304/2.
Of a byrthyng on a manis bak of brede or lekys a farding 14.. Ib.
Of a byrthing of mercery a farding 1461 Liber Pluscardensis 394.
Tak nocht al the birthing on thi bak c1520-c1535 Nisbet III. 291.
Relax thou birthingis pressand doun
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"Birthing n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/birthing>
