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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.

Brag, n. Also: bragg, brage, braig(e. [ME. brag (c 1360), bragge, related to Brag v.]

1. Bragging, vaunting; a brag or vaunt.(1) sing. c1420 Wynt. iii. 285.
The Phylisteis … Bolnyt all wytht brage and boste Agayne hym come a1500 Doug. K. Hart 144.
So mirrelie … thai play, Withoutin outher brag, or bost, or schore Ib. 393.
Than Busteousnes come with brag and bost Id. Æn. iv. i. 91; etc.
The gret brag and mannans of our brothir 1533 Boece xiii. xvi. 536.
This brag was repressit 1562-3 Winȝet I. 80/2.
Quby mak ȝe sik brag, tumult, and diuisioun for the terme sacrament 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 85.
The captane made a schaw of a stout brag c1590 J. Stewart 18/105.
The Sarrasin, vith bittir brag and blast, Hint out his sourd 1605 Misc. Hist. Soc. II. 247.
As to yow[r] braig to com heir ye sal be veilcome 1636 Fam. Innes 225.
Without brage, I will giff ples to feue in Chrisindome(2) pl. 1571 Events Mary & Jas. 64.
Thai have maid great braggis thir dayis bygaine a1585 Maitl. Q. xlii. 45.
Vaine braggis and boist is reknit vasealege 1594 Warrender P. 43.
Then began ther braggis

2. A defiant note. a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 195.
Ane horne he blew with mony bosteous brag 1513 Doug. vii. x. 86.
The draucht trumpet blawis the brag of weir Ib. ix. viii. 106.
The trumpettis … With terribill brag of brasyn bludy soundis