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.
Quotation dates: 1706-1734, 1837
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†BRIGUE, Brique, n., 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. 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.
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"Brigue n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/brigue_n_v>
