birse

[ burs; Scots birs ]

/ bɜrs; Scots bɪrs /

a short hair of the beard or body; a bristle.

anger; rage.

QUIZZES

American English is not always as it appears to be ... get to know regional words in this quiz!

Question 1 of 10

A bet is synonymous with a wager, but what does it mean in New York?

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

It is,” I agreed; “but you were to tell me what Birse told you of the disturbance at the Spittal.
The Little Minister|J. M. Barrie
And I saw him,” said Birse, “put up his hand atween him and the Book, as if he thocht it was to jump at him.
The Little Minister|J. M. Barrie
Birse knew well what the thing was called, but the word is a staggerer to say in company.
The Little Minister|J. M. Barrie
The man disna live 'at can beat the Doctor when his birse is up, an' a' never saw him sae roosed afore!
The Days of Auld Lang Syne|Ian MacLaren

Birse was a little behind, but a conversation was being kept up by shouting.
The Little Minister|J. M. Barrie