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.
(Bribery,) Brybry, -rie, n. [ME. brybery (Chaucer), bribry, etc., OF. briberie.]
1. A trifle, a thing of little value.c1420 Wynt. viii. 5644 (W).
He tuke the malis of that land … Bot it were ony small brybry That neire the castell wes lyand 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 144.
Thy buke is bot brybry
2. Begging, mendicancy.c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 63.
Cleik to the ane club, Ane baird blasphemar, in brybrie ay to be
3. Bribery; taking of bribes.1582 Declar. Causis 26.
Sindrie uther fassionis of brybrie 1664 Nicoll Diary 418.
The Kinges advocat, being … persewit for brybrie and malversatioun in his office
