Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BRISKEN UP, v. To freshen, stimulate; smarten (Abd.2, Fif.10, Lnk.3, Kcb.9 1936). The usual Eng. form is brisk up.Sc. 1889 R. L. Stevenson M. of Ballantrae viii.:
It will brisken you up.w.Dmf. 1908 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo (1912) iv.:
Mixin' wi' ither boys and bein' wi' a man teacher briskened me up a bit.