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.
BIRST, n.2 (See second quot.)Rxb. 1805 A. Scott Poems 145:
Alang wi' you the birst to dree, Lang have ye squeez'd my bun.n., w.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 57:
†Birst. Stress or difficulty of adverse circumstances. Chiefly with verbs, as to stand, dree, or bear the birst.
