Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1802-1824, 1927
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BARM(E)KIN, Barmkyn, Barnekin, n. The battlement of the outer fortification of a castle; a turret or watch-tower on the outer wall. Arch.Sc. 1802 Scott Border Minstrelsy II. 341:
And broad and bloody rose the sun And on the barmkin shone.Sc. 1927 W. M. MacKenzie Mediæval Castle in Scot. 93:
A low wall, from 9 to 12 feet high, usually surrounded a single tower or linked it with the out-buildings and the enclosure so formed was known as a barnekin, barmekin, or barmkyn.Abd. 1824 G. Smith Misc. Pieces 134:
Jock ran to the brig, as fast's e'er he could hobble, In a fit o' despair, o'er the barmkin did jump.
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"Barmkin n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/barmekin>
