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.
Bridil(l, Brydill, v. Also: brydel(l, bridle. [ME. brydel(yn, bridlen, OE. brídlian.]
1. tr. To put a bridle on (a horse, etc.).c1420 Wynt. vii. 696.
Hys cumly sted of Araby, Sadelyd and brydelyd costlykly c1500 Rowll Cursing 169.
Than is thair nocht bot sadill & brydill 1513 Doug. iv. Prol. 31.
Men says thou brydillyt Aristotyll as ane hors Ib. xii. v. 169.
Sum brydillys stedis 15.. Clar. v. 931.
Tame lyounis quhalpis … Sadillit and brydillit 1560 Rolland Seven S. 80/33.
Thay brydillit him as he had bene ane hors
b.To punish, or ill-treat (a person) by the application of a bridle.1568 Inverness B. Rec. I. 164.
The jugis hes … Ordanit [the said William] to be brydelit for the wrang 1602 Elgin Rec. II. 103.
Jaspert Hay is content to be brydellit and he be found at pastyme the tyme of devyne seruice 1614 Rec. Old Aberd. I. 54.
The vagabund to be bund to the cros and brydlit therat 1642 Strathbogie Presb. 29.
He had bound Jeane Davidsone … to a post, and hade brydled her … to the gryt effusion of her blood; and … he frequentlie vsed to brydle his owne wyffe
2. fig. To check or restrain.a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 112.
Thus mycht a king … brydill mony fra blunderit brukilnes 1513 Doug. vi. ii. 46.
On sik wys Apollo … Bridillis hir sprete, and as him list constrenys 1558-66 Knox II. 57; Ib. 440.
In quhilk poynt God brydillit thair furye
3. To fix or attach firmly. (Cf. Bridill n. 3.)1606 Reg. Privy C. VII. 240.
Ane garroun of fyve fute … brydlit in ane jeist
4. To hold (the head) high.1581 Burne Disput. 189.
Ane change … From occupeing beiddis, To brydling thair heiddis
