Obs. [Perh. the same word as prec. with the general sense of ‘bear’; perhaps a. ON. byrðr burthen: the derivation being the same.] Burthen, weight, ? bulk.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., I. xiii. 17 (Jam.). Thare bwyis bowys all for byrtht.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, V. iii. 31. The busteus barge … Sa huge of birth a cetie semit sche.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 246. For birth and wecht, hir furing wes so hie, With thaine ilkane scho sank into the se.
