Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BRAINCH, n., v. Also brench. Sc. forms of Eng. branch (Ags. 1892 A. Reid Howetoon 59; Slk. 1899 C. M. Thomson Drummeldale 46; Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 16, Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1923–6 Wilson; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai). See P.L.D. § 48.1. [brenʃ]m.Sc. 1985 William J. Rae in Joy Hendry Chapman 40 18:
A royal eagle, wi a rabbit stappit in his beak, lichtit on a brainch abune Ogilvy's nest and pit his bit prey doun for a meenit or sae. m.Sc. 1988 William Neill Making Tracks 51:
O braid bussie bourtree
yir flooers are aa gane,
yir leaf flitters doun nou,
yir berries are taen,
an the brainch souchs abune
as I walk here ma lane. Edb. 1991 J. K. Annand in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 19:
A kirkyaird was my gairden,
A grave my bed o flouers,
And frae my green tree's brainches
The flourish fell in shouers. em.Sc. 1999 James Robertson The Day O Judgement 17:
Win tae, frae west an east alike,
Swarmin like bees aroun a brainch
When risen up frae oot the byke.