noun Chiefly Scot.
- a young lady; maiden.
poetic word for “woman, lady” in old ballads; later “young lady, maiden;” c.1200, perhaps from Old English byrde “wealthy, well-born.” Or a metathesis of bryd “bride.” The masculine equivalent was berne.
noun Chiefly Scot.
poetic word for “woman, lady” in old ballads; later “young lady, maiden;” c.1200, perhaps from Old English byrde “wealthy, well-born.” Or a metathesis of bryd “bride.” The masculine equivalent was berne.