An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language / in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

by John Jamieson

Ir. breathav, breitheav, still signifies a judge. Bullet supposes that Breth has been used in this sense by the ancient Gauls; whence Vergobret, the name of the supreme magistrate among them. Ir. Fear go fraith literally signifies the man who judges.

To BREY, v. a. To terrify.
Wyntown.

A. S. breg-an, id. probably allied to Sw. bry, to vex.

To BREID, BREDE, v. n. To resemble.
V. [Brade], v. 5.

BREID, s. Breadth. On breid, broad, or in breadth.
Lyndsay.

A. S. braed; Su. G. bredd, id. Brede occurs in O.E.

R. Brunne.

BREYFE, BREVE, s. A writing.
Wyntown.

A. S. braue, literae; Germ. brief, a letter; Isl. Su. G. bref, epistola, diploma; Fr. brief, breve, a writ. These are all from Lat. breve.

To Breif, Breve, Breue, Brew, v. a.
1. To write, to commit to writing.
Palace of Hon.
2. To compose.
Dunbar.