Show Search Results Show Browse
Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†BIRS, Birss, n. “The gad-fly” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2, 1923 Watson W.-B. 57).
[Met. form from O.E. briosa, breosa. In Mod.Eng. breeze or brize is now arch. or dial.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Birs n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/birs>
