Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BRINN, n.1 “A cold, piercing, dry wind; ‘It's a nasty cauld b[rinn] the day'” (Ork. 1929 Marw.). This also appears in the Sh. adj. brintek, applied to weather with strong and dry wind (Jak.).
[Cf. O.N. brynn, prompt, keen; in phr. brynn byrr, a straight, fair wind (Zoëga). Marw. assigns it to O.N. brenna, to burn, from its effect on grass and plants.]
