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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Burne, v. Also: bourne. [e.m.E. and ME. burne (e.m.E. also bourne), variant of birne Birn v. Frequent after 1560 under English influence.]

1. tr. To consume with fire. Brus xv. 438 (C).
Sum send he For till burne townis twa or thre 1560 Rolland Seven S. 210/1.
I sall burne his banis into ane fire 1558-66 Knox II. 450.
To burne incense upoun the alter 1562-3 Winȝet I. 113/25.
Quhy … burnt [ȝe] sum of thame a1578 Pitsc. I. 311/2.
He sould burne his faggattis a1570-86 Maitl. F. liv. 32.
Now the dewill burne me and ever I byd ȝow 1630 Urie Baron Ct. 69.
Tenants … that sall happin … to reais fyir and burne mwir 1644 Douglas Corr. 255.
All the nouels which comes … I do bourne themabsol. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 25.
To … slay, burne, and tak presonaris a1578 Pitsc. I. 72/7.
They … invadit Ingland … burnand and slayand quhairewer they come a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xcv. 15.
Than wax thai bald to burne and sla

b. To burn the property of (a person). 1569 Reg. Privy C. II. 49.
The said Laird … sall burne thame, and put thame and hald thame furth of the cuntre

2. intr. To be on fire. Also fig. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 210/9.
The thrid knicht thairin he kest to burne a1578 Pitsc. I. 4/2.
He burnes evir in sicht of guid or euill 1596 Dalr. II. 20/34.
In bale sa balde thay burnt