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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.

BRAY, v. To push, to shove; gen. with expenditure of considerable force (Bnff.2, Abd.9 1935). [bre:]Mry.2 1937:
It wis a big stane an' he hid to bray hard afore he cud shift it.Abd.(D) 1922 J. Wight in Mair Swatches o' Hamespun 61:
He brayed back 's bonnet, an' dichtit 's haffets wi' the heel o' 's han'.

[Phs. from same origin as O.N. bregða, to cause to move quickly (Zoëga), O.E. bregdan, brēdan, to drag, pull, pa.t. brǣd. Cf. Bree, v.3]

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