eagre

or ea·ger

[ ee-ger, ey-ger ]

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. a tidal bore or flood.

eagre

/ ˈeɪɡə /

noun

1. a tidal bore, esp of the Humber or Severn estuary

Word History and Origins

Origin of eagre¹

1640–50; apparently representing earlier agar, ager, obscurely akin to hyger, higre; (compare Anglo-Latin (12th century) higra the tidal bore of the Severn); compared with Old English ēgor, eogor flood, high tide, though preservation of g in modern forms is problematic

Word History and Origins

Origin of eagre¹

C17: perhaps from Old English ēagor flood; compare Old English ēa river, water

Example Sentences

The other name by which the phenomenon is known, “eagre,” is also of unknown origin.

From Project Gutenberg

As for the tidal wave, improperly called an eagre, which rushed up the sea-front, it had but a very moderate height and a quite restricted force.

From Project Gutenberg

The tide of fashion was rushing like an eagre "up to the Park."

From Project Gutenberg

Wherefore with leave th’ infinitie I’ll sing Of time, Of Space: or without leave; I’m brent With eagre rage, my heart for joy doth spring, And all my spirits move with pleasant trembeling.

From Project Gutenberg

As we met the roaring eagre we felt the engine leap, as Schwartz’s311 hesitation left him and he opened the throttle.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• tsunami