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: <1375, 1375-1499, 1575-1609, 1678
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Birthinsake, Byrthynsak, n. Also: birthinsak, birthynsac, birdinsek, berthynsak, berthinsek. Also late variants: burden-sek, burdinseck. [f. birthin (see Birthing,n.), and OE. sacu action at law, prosecution.] A theft of so much as could be carried on the back. 14.. Acts I. 53/1.
De Iburthenseca seu Berthynsak id est de furto vituli vel arietis vel quantum quis supra dorsum suum portare poterit 1208–18 Liber Calchou 76.
Quietam ab omni seruicio, & curiam de blodewyt & birthinsake 1208–18 Ib. 80.
De parvis querimoniis .s. de blodwit & de Birthinsake suam curiam habebit 1271 Ib. 364.
Habentes curiam de bludwyth et de birthynsac et de aliis talibus parvis querelis 14.. Acts I. 53/2.
Of byrthynsak, that is to say of the thyft of a calf or of a ram or how mekill as a man may ber on his bak c1575 Balfour Pract. 526.
Na theif sould be hangit for ane burden-sek 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Berthinsek.
Be the law of Birdinsek, na man suld die, or be hanged for the thieft of ane scheepe, ane weale, or for sa-meikle meate as he may beare vpon his backe in ane seck 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 70; 1609 Ib. ii. 67 b.
Of the law of burdinseck 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i. xix. 100.
By the law … of Birthinsak [etc.]
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"Birthinsake n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/birthinsake>
