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.
†BRUSH, n., v.1 Also arch. brusch (Fif. 1838 W. Tennant Anster Fair 33).
1. n.
(1) A vigorous effort for a short time.Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
To gie a brush at any kind of work, to assist by working violently for a short time.
(2) fig. A violent onset.Sc. 1827 Scott Journal (1890) (3 March):
White as a frosted plum-cake, by jingo! No matter; I am not sorry to find I can stand a brush of weather yet.
2. v.
(1) Found only as ppl.adj. = stirring, rousing.Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet, Letter vii.:
I . . . assured him a brushing gallop would do his favourite no harm.
(2) In phr.: to brush a person's jacket, to beat, to thrash someone (Sc. 1905 E.D.D. Suppl.). Obs. in Eng. (N.E.D.).
[O.Sc. brusch(e), bruss, brush, 1. intr. (a) to go in pieces, (b) to burst or spring out; to rush or gush. 2. tr. to force or drive violently; to cause to rush or gush; to dischargewith force; to take by storm (D.O.S.T.), Mid.Eng. brusche (a.1400), brusshe, of doubtful origin. Cf. Broost. N.E.D. gives brush, to rush with force or speed, perhaps identical with Fr. brosser, to dash through dense underwood, but blended also with brush, to pass a brush briskly across a surface.]
