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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1899-1931

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BRAND, Braand, Bran, Bron, n. In Eng. applied only to a piece of wood that is or has been burning.

1. A burning peat or glowing cinder; "a blazing peat used for signalling or as a torch" (Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 67, bron; Cai.7 1936, bran).Sh.(D) 1931 W. J. Tulloch Shetland Almanac 193:
We waitit till da lights wir oot o' da hoose except twartree lowin braands among da restin' ess.

2. (See quot.)w.Dmf. 1899 J. Shaw Country Schoolmaster 344:
Brand, a contemptuous name for a worthless person. Possibly a variant of brat. (Rather a reminiscence of the Biblical "brand plucked from the burning.")

[O.Sc. brund, broynd, a burning or burnt piece of wood (D.O.S.T.); O.E. brand, brond, a fire-brand, from *bran-, ablaut form of Gmc. *brinnan, to burn, cf. Sc. brunt, O.N. brandr, (burning) log, Sw. and Dan. brand, fire-brand.]

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