birken

American  

[bur-kuhn, bir-kuhn] / ˈbɜr kən, ˈbɪr kən /

adjective

Scot. and North England.

1. birchen; birch.

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Etymology

Origin of birken

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at birk, -en ²

Example Sentences

An' sweet the birken trees amang, Swells many a blithesome lay; An' loud the bratlin burnie's voice Comes soundin' up the brae.

From The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume V. The Songs of Scotland of the Past Half Century by Rogers, Charles

O weary Winter soon will pass, And Spring will cleed the birken shaw; And my young babie will be born, And he'll be hame that's far awa.

From Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Burns, Robert

Beneath a hill 'mang birken bushes, By a burnie's dimplit linn, I told my love with artless blushes To the lassie o' the glen.

From The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume IV. The Songs of Scotland of the Past Half Century by Rogers, Charles

I. By Auchtertyre grows the aik, On Yarrow banks the birken shaw; But Phemie was a bonnier lass Than braes of Yarrow ever saw.

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Burns, Robert

Fare thee well, my native cot, Bothy of the birken tree!

From Notes and Queries, Number 231, April 1, 1854 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Bell, George