Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

BURD, n.² A poetic word for woman, lady; in later use chiefly applied to a young lady, maiden, and sometimes wife. “Burd is still used as an appellation of complacency by superiors to women of lo wer degree” (Sc. 1808 Jam., s.v. bird.). Also dim. burdie. Cf. Bird, n.²Sc. 1802–1803 Young Benjie in Minstr. Sc. Border (ed. Scott) III. 255:
Ye lied, ye lied, ye bonny burd.Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 167:
O come ye back some misty night. And steal awa' your ain burd Ann.wm.Sc. 1991 Liz Lochhead Bagpipe Muzak 4:
Wi other burds like masel
Who I should of kennt very well
Were ma sisters (at least under the skin).Ayr. 1791 Burns Tam o' Shanter (Cent. ed.) ll. 157–158:
I wad hae gi'en them off my hurdies For ae blink o' the bonie burdies!Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 72:
The guid God guide thee, bonnie burd!