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.
Byrd(e, Bird, p.t. Also: burd(e. [Northern ME. bird (midl. burd, burde), early ME. birrde (Orm), OE. (ᵹe)byrede, p.t. of (ᵹe)byrian to belong to, befit.]
1. impers. It behoves (one).1375 Barb. vi. 316 (E).
Thai … said thaim [C. thai] byrd on na maner Drede thair fayis a1400 Leg. S. ii. 1106.
Full sare vs bird to mone To this Paule Ib. xvii. 152; etc.
Me byrd be blyth that sycht to se ?1438 Alex. ii. 1757.
Alexander hes sworne … That him worthy bird to be; His eldars war of sik bounte
2. intr. (One) ought (to).a1400 Leg. S. xxxviii. 31.
Ȝunge men, ȝe byrd wel knaw Of lordis the fellone law ?1438 Alex. ii. 259.
He burde be douchty in ane thrang Ib. 1250; etc.
Thow art nocht sic that thow bird blame The king a1500 Rauf C. 160.
Thow byrd to haue nurtour aneuch a1500 Doug. K. Hart 567.
Th ow bird think schame and of thy riot rew a1568 Scott xxi. 29.
Cupeid, thow kennis I burd to knau The langsum leving in thy law
