birse

[ burs; Scots birs ]

noun

, Scot.

1. a short hair of the beard or body; a bristle.
2. anger; rage.

Word History and Origins

Origin of birse¹

before 900; Old English byrst; cognate with Old High German borst, burst, Old Norse burst. See bristle

Example Sentences

Tibbie Birse in the Burial is great, but I think it was a journalist that got in the word “official.”

From Project Gutenberg

But the particular flower of the flock to whom I have hopelessly lost my heart is Tibby Birse.

From Project Gutenberg

The local chronicler is much perplexed by another somewhat inelegant Aberdeenshire witticism—“Gang to Birse and bottle skate.”

From Project Gutenberg

Then in many a devious turn we wind round the northern boundary of the parish of Birse.

From Project Gutenberg

Tibbie Birse invited the newly-married couple to tea (one pound).

From Project Gutenberg