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.
†BRIGUE, Brique, n. and v.
1. n. Canvass, faction, intrigue.Sc. 1734 Records Conv. Burghs (1885) 565:
Matters not contained in the missive have been overhauled and brought in by brique and surprize.Fif. 1715 John, Master of Sinclair Memoirs Insurr. Scot. (1858) 18:
Such men . . . are afterwards intrusted with little commissions in countrie brigues or elections.
2. v. tr. and intr. To canvass, intrigue (with), wheedle, solicit. In later use only arch. Rare and obs. in Eng. as a v.Sc.
1706
Lord Belhaven
Speech on Union 16:
I don't think any one Post of the Kingdom worth the Briguing after.Sc. 1712 R. Wodrow Analecta (M.C.) II. 113:
I hate a popular supremacy and a pleasing the people by briguing and cajolling them.Sc. 1837 Carlyle French Rev. II. ii. v. § 5:
Briguing, intriguing, favouritism.
