birse

noun

ˈbirs

ˈbərs

chiefly Scotland : a bristle or tuft of bristles

chiefly Scotland : anger

as the lad's birse is fair up, it'd be best to leave him alone

Etymology

Middle English *birst, from Old English byrst — more at bristle

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of birse was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Style

“Birse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/birse. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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