Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BREET, n. A ne.Sc. form of St.Eng. brute, used with all Eng. meanings. The meaning illustrated below is peculiar to n.Sc., i.e. fellow, chap, creature. The word conveys an idea of pity, affection, tolerance, etc., the exact shade of meaning varying according to the adj. which gen. accompanies it. Cf. Mod.Fr. “c'est un bon bête,” he's a good-natured soul. [brit]Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 16:
She's nae an ill breet o' a dehm.Abd. 1797–1881 in Mem. of J. Geddes (1899) 22, Note:
He vrate a beuk 'at nae ane read, An now, alas, the breet he's dead!Abd.(D) 1929 J. Alexander Mains and Hilly 192:
A cheery, weel-naitur't breet wis Kirky, aye lauchin' an' aye some joke to tell ye.Abd. 1991 Douglas Kynoch in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 87:
An aye the herds wad say, fan seein they were beat:
"It's wicket wastrie aat! Yon bairn's a lucky breet!" Abd. 1995 Sheena Blackhall Lament for the Raj 1:
In the firelicht o an evenin, foo yon oriental breets
Wided ben a bairnie's fancies, far the Real and Unreal meets!
