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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: 1908

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BIRSTALEK, n. (See quot.) [′bərstɑlɛk (Jak.)]Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Birstalek, hog's bristle at the end of a thread for sewing shoes: sewing-thread (waxed) with hog's bristles at both ends. Ha'e ye ony birstaleks?

[O.N. burst, a bristle (Zoëga). Perhaps from Birsle, v.2, q.v., and dim. suff. ek = Sc. ock.]

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"Birstalek n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/birstalek>

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