bairns
|bairns|
B1
/ˈbeənz/
(bairn)
child
Etymology
Etymology Information
'bairn' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'bearn', where the root meant 'child'.
Historical Evolution
'bairn' changed from Old English word 'bearn' into Middle English forms and was preserved in Scots and northern English dialects as 'bairn' (plural 'bairns').
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'child' in Old English, and over time it has retained the same core meaning as 'child' in regional dialect use.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'bairn': children (chiefly Scots and northern English dialect).
The bairns were playing on the green all afternoon.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/02 09:15