Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†BIRLIN, n.2 A sea-taboo word for a child (Sh. 1814 Irvine MSS.). [Reduced form of birth or Norw. byrð, birth, progeny, + -ling, suff.]
