A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Stepbarne, -bairn, n. [ME stepbarn (Rolle) an orphan, OE stéopbearn, ON stjúpbarn.] A stepchild. —1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 1155.
The pyote said … Quhy mak ȝe me stepbarne, and I ȝour brother? Ȝe do me wrang, schir gled 1535 Stewart 55945.
Suppois scho wes bot hir stepbarne as than 1631 Rutherford Lett. (1862) I 76.
And that if any were a stepbairn, in respect of comfort and sense, it were rather myself than His poor bairns
