bawn

[ bawn ]

noun

, Newfoundland.

1. a rocky stretch of foreshore on which caught fish are laid out to dry.
2. a patch of grassland or meadow near a dwelling.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bawn¹

First recorded in 1530–40; Hiberno-English, from Irish bábhún (earlier spelling badhbhdhún, badhún ) “enclosure,” perhaps equivalent to ba, plural of bó “cow” + dún “fort”; cow ¹, town

Example Sentences

I allow ennybody's a bawn fool gits ketched twice runnin' ther same way.

From Project Gutenberg

"Strues I'm bawn, I b'lieve he's done gone to sleep like ole Miss—he's settin' thar so still," she said.

From Project Gutenberg

Ah wuz bawn in slavery, in spir'chual slavery; de good Lawd done riz me to freedom.

From Project Gutenberg

The Colleen Bawn is a tissue of improbabilities and extravagances.

From Project Gutenberg

"Then I shall write to Mr. Dent himself," said Mrs. Bawn indignantly.

From Project Gutenberg