[f. the adj.]
1. trans. To make brisk; to freshen, enliven, animate, exhilarate, quicken. Now with up or (colloq.) about.
1628. Feltham, Resolves, I. lxxxiv. 261. I like a cup to briske the spirits.
1666. J. Smith, Old Age, 109. The bloud in the Arteries newly brisked in the fountain.
1710. T. Fuller, Pharm. Extemp., 321. Bennet Pills … exalt and brisk up the … heavy Blood.
1829. [J. L. Knapp], Jrnl. Naturalist, 241. That portion of vital air which brisks up animality without consuming the sustenance of life.
1864. Dickens, Mut. Fr., I. ix. We want to brisk her up, and brisk her about.
1879. Stevenson, Trav. Cevennes, 15. Modestine brisked up her pace.
2. intr. (for refl.) To brisk up: to come up briskly. To brisk about: to move about briskly.
1727. Moreton, Apparitions, 195. The lady … brisking up to him as if she would fight him.
1881. Mrs. Holman Hunt, Childr. Jerus., 169. He was up and brisking about.
3. † a. trans. To smarten up; to dress finely, to trim. Obs. b. intr. (for refl.)
1592. Greene, Disput. Conny-catcher, Wks. (Grosart), X. 204. Doest thou maruell to see me thus briskt?
1613. Beaum. & Fl., Hon. Man’s Fort., II. i. Prune and briske myself in the bright shine Of his good Lordships fortune.
1637. G. Daniel, Genius of Isle, 45. Whilst Neptune, to court Amphitrite doth briske.
1710. Palmer, Proverbs, 259. The young cock … stood brisking up his comb and gills.
1861. Trollope, T. All Countries, 193. Susan brisked up a little for the occasion [a wedding] and looked very pretty as bridesmaid.
Hence Brisked ppl. a., Brisking vbl. sb.
1644. Bulwer, Chiron., 109. The brisked spirits.
1717. Killingbeck, Serm., 223 (L.). For the relief of our natures; for the brisking up our spirits.
