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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BERTHY, BIRTHY, adj. Prolific. [′bərθɪ̢]w.Dmf. 1899 J. Shaw Country Schoolmaster 344:
Berthy [i.e. Birthy], fruitful. Said of a plant, such as a rose, full of vitality and blossom.Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.:
Them beans is very birthy.

[O.Sc. birthy, yielding produce, fertile, prolific, a.1500 (D.O.S.T.). From birth, the bearing of offspring. O.N. byrðr, cogn. with O.E. ge-byrd, birth.]

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