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: 1399-1400, 1456-1605
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Brukilnes, n. Also: brokil-, brukkil-, bruikil-, bruklenes. [f. Brukill,a.] Brittleness, fragility, frailty, uncertainty. a1400 Legends of the Saints v. 489.
Manis brokilnes ma nocht Of contemplacion haf thocht a1400 Ib. xxviii. 458.
Women it wes That I ourcom be brukilnes 1456 Hay I. 16/31.
Ȝit is that bot fragilitee and brukilnes of mannis nature a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 86.
Quhat euer men deme or say In scornefull langage of thy brukkilnes 1490 Irland Mir. I. 21/13.
Pane eternall of hell … that we may nocht … throu our waiknes and brukilnes sustene 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. iii. 412.
The greit inuy, couetous dowbilnes, Tuitchand warldlie vnfaithfull brukilnes c1550 Rolland Court of Venus ii. 962.
That … all hir Court was … Bandownit with baill and full of brukilnes 1560 Id. Seven Sages 185/3.
Ȝe may persaue now heir expres Of wemen the greit brukilnes 1577 Reg. Privy C. II. 641.
The brukkilnes of the weather being considerit a1605 Montg. Flyt. 611.
Whose fecklesse foolishnes And beastly bruklenes Can no man … put into verse
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"Brukilnes n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/brukilnes>
