cranreuch

[ krahn-ruhkh ]

noun

, Scot.

1. hoarfrost.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cranreuch¹

1675–85; apparently < Scots Gaelic phrase crann reodhach frosty tree, equivalent to crann tree + reodh frost, hoarfrost + -ach adj. suffix

Example Sentences

To this day, every time I see a white hoar frost I think "cranreuch cauld", remembering Burns's "To a Mouse".

From The Guardian

Now thou's turn'd out, for a' thy trouble, But house or hald, To thole the winter's sleety dribble, An' cranreuch cauld!

From Project Gutenberg

The “Daisy” falls not unheeded under his ploughshare; nor the ruined nest of that “wee, cowering, timorous beastie,” cast forth, after all its provident pains, to “thole the sleety dribble, and cranreuch cauld.”

From Project Gutenberg

It sleeps in the snaw and the cranreuch Wi a cauld cauld plaid to wear.

From The Guardian

Now thou's turn'd out, for a' thy trouble, But house or hald, To thole the winter's sleety dribble An' cranreuch cauld!

From Project Gutenberg