Obs. Forms: 1–6 brim, 1–4 brym, 4 brymme. [OE. brim surf, (poet.) the sea = ON. brim surf, sea; prob. f. the stem brem- roar, rage: see BRIM v.1 It became obs. in ME.; but was perhaps used by Spenser.] An old poetical word for the sea; also, ‘flood,’ water.

1

Beowulf, 847 (Gr.). Wæs on blode brim weallende.

2

c. 937.  Battle Brunanburh, in O. E. Chron. Siþþan eastan hider Engle and Sexe up becomon ofer brade brimu Brytene sohtan.

3

c. 1000.  Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 177. Æquor, brym, sæ.

4

c. 1290.  Land Cokaygne, 156, in E. E. P. (1862), 160. Hi … lepith dune in-to the brimme, And doth ham sleilich for to swimme.

5

c. 1340.  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 2172. A balȝ berȝ bi a bonke þe brymme [? sea or shore] bysyde.

6

a. 1400.  Leg. Rood (1871), 125. In middes þe brig was ouer þe brim.

7

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., V. ix. 35. The bright sunne, what time his fierie teme Towards the westerne brim [perh. = edge, horizon] begins to draw.

8