Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BRENT, v., n.2, adv.1 [brɛnt]
1. v. The pa.t. brent is a reduced form of brentit; cf. Prent for prentit.
(1) tr. and intr. To spring forward (Bnff.2 1936; Abd.6 1913); to go (one's way) fearlessly.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 218:
The horse brentit oot o' ma han.Bwk. 1893 W. S. Crockett Minstrelsy of the Merse 318:
Wi' frolicksome step i' the morning bright She brent her way to the Merlingdean.
(2) “To lean forward as if attempting to get up. Used here of a child in a baby-chair leaning over the bar” (Mry.1 1925).
2. n. “A sudden bound or spring” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 218; Bnff.2 1936).
3. adv. With a sudden spring (Bnff.2 1936); “in a fearless or precipitate manner” (Lth., Slk. 1825 Jam.2); directly, fair and square.Abd. 1832 A. Beattie Poems 131:
Then Maggy mounted, aff she gaes Nor ever she a bridle drew, Till brent amang her hellish crew.Abd.7 1925:
“He cam brent at 'im,” meaning that one attacked another without feints or subterfuge, full force.Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick xv.:
They maun aye rin brent at a thing; they haena the patience to gae roun' aboot it, an' look at it baith back an' front.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
The Germans cam brent on.
