† brite, v. Obs. exc. dial.
Also 8–9 brit.
[Cf. ON. brjóta, Sw. bryte, Da. bryde to break, destroy (trans.), corresp. to OE. bréotan to break, burst.]
intr. Of grain, hops, etc.: To become over-ripe and shatter.
| 1669 Worlidge Syst. Agric. viii. §1 (1681) 152 It preserves the Hops from briting or shedding. Ibid. 323 Brite or bright: Barley, Wheat, and other Grain, and Hops are said to brite when they are over-ripe and shatter. 1674 Ray S. & E.C. Wds. 60. a 1722 Lisle Husb. Gloss. in F. Wds. (E.D.S.) Brit, to shed; to fall. 1883 Prior (in let. to Editor), In dry weather the grain falls from ears of wheat in the reaping and in Wiltshire is said to brit out. |