A Concise Dictionary of Middle English from A.D. 1150 to 1580

by A. L. Mayhew; Walter W. Skeat

[ Brent], adj. steep, high, S2, JD; see [Brant].

Breo-; see Bre-.

[ Brerd], sb. brim, margin, surface, top, S3, MD; brurd, MD; brerde, MD.—AS. brerd, brim, top of a vessel, shore; cp. OHG. brort, also Icel. broddr, the front.

[ Brerd-ful], adv. brimful, MD; brurdful, S2. Cf. [Bretful].

[ Brere], sb. briar, S3, W2; brer, S3; breres, pl., S, S3, C; breris, W.—AS. brér, also brǽre, pl. (OET).

Bres; see [Bras].

[ Bresil], adj. brittle, H; see [Brisel].

[ Brest], sb. breast, C; breost, MD; breast, voice, S3; breste, PP; bryst, MD.—AS. bréost.

[ Bresten], v. to burst, S2, C2, W, MD; brasten, S3, MD; bersten, S, C; brast, pt. s., C3, PP; barste, P; braste, pl., C3, S2; brest, S3; brusten, pp., damaged, hurt severely, S2, MD.—Icel. bresta, pt. brast, pp. brostinn; cp. AS. berstan.

[ Bretful], adj. brimful, S3, C, PP, HD; bratful, S2, PP; bredful, PP. Cp. Swed. bräddful. See [Brerdful].