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.
Quotation dates: 1878-1923
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BREE, n.4 and adj.
1. n. Favourable opinion. Gen. in neg. Cf. colloq. Eng. to think no small beer of oneself. See also Broo, n.3Sc. 1899 Mont.-Fleming:
"To think nae bree of a thing," to think little of it.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A've nae bree o' 'im. [Arg.1 1935 says: "heard, but not common."]
2. adj. Gen. in neg.: of no good character or merit.Sc. [1878] W. Dickinson Gl. Dial. Cumberland (ed. E. W. Prevost 1899) 41:
‡He's no bree, he is not good.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., rare:
"He's nae bree," — He's a worthless person.
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"Bree n.4, adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bree_n4_adj>
