BIRR, s. Force.
V. [Beir].
To BIRR, v. n. To make a whirring noise, especially in motion; the same with birle, S.
V. [Beir], s.
Douglas.
To Birl, v. n.
1. To "make a noise like a cart driving over stones, or mill-stones at work." It denotes a constant drilling sound, S.
Popular Ball.
2. Used improperly, to denote quick motion in walking, Loth.
Birl seems to be a dimin. from the v. Birr, used in the same sense, formed by means of the letter l, a common note of diminution.
BIRS, BIRSE, BYRSS, BIRSSIS, s.
1. A bristle, "a sow's birse," the bristle of a sow, S.
Evergreen.
2. Metaph. for the beard.
Knox.
3. Metaph. for the indication of rage or displeasure. "To set up one's birss," to put one in a rage. The birse is also said to rise, when one's temper becomes warm, in allusion to animals fenced with bristles, that defend themselves, or express their rage in this way, S
Course of Conformitie.
A. S. byrst, Germ. borst, burst, Su. G. borst, id. Ihre derives it from burr, a thistle. Sw. saettia up borsten, to put one in a rage; borsta sig, to give one's self airs, E. to bristle up.
Birssy, adj.
1. Having bristles, rough, S.
Douglas.
2. Hot-tempered, easily irritated, S.
3. Keen, sharp; applied to the weather. "A birssy day," a cold bleak day, S. B.
To BIRSE, BIRZE, BRIZE, v. a.
1. To bruise, S.
Watson.
Palice of Honour.
Brise is common in O. E.
2. To push or drive; to birse in, to push in, S.
Shirrefs.