Part 76 (1/2)

_Birl_ seems to be a dimin. from the v. _Birr_, used in the same sense, formed by means of the letter _l_, a common note of diminution.

BIRS, BIRSE, BYRSS, BIRSSIS, _s._

1. A bristle, ”a sow's _birse_,” the bristle of a sow, S.

_Evergreen._

2. Metaph. for the beard.

_Knox._

3. Metaph. for the indication of rage or displeasure. ”To set up one's _birss_,” to put one in a rage. The _birse_ is also said to _rise_, when one's temper becomes warm, in allusion to animals fenced with bristles, that defend themselves, or express their rage in this way, S.

_Course of Conformitie._

A. S. _byrst_, Germ. _borst_, _burst_, Su. G. _borst_, id. Ihre derives it from _burr_, a thistle. Sw. _saettia up borsten_, to put one in a rage; _borsta sig_, to give one's self airs, E. to bristle up.

~Birssy~, _adj._

1. Having bristles, rough, S.

_Douglas._

2. Hot-tempered, easily irritated, S.

3. Keen, sharp; applied to the weather. ”A _birssy_ day,” a cold bleak day, S. B.

_To_ BIRSE, BIRZE, BRIZE, _v. a._

1. To bruise, S.

_Watson._

_Palice of Honour._

_Brise_ is common in O. E.

2. To push or drive; _to birse in_, to push in, S.

_s.h.i.+rrefs._

A. S. _brys-an_, Belg. _brys-en_; Ir. _bris-im_; Fr. _bris-er_, id.

BIRSE, BRIZE, _s._ A bruise, S.