bawn
Americannoun
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a rocky stretch of foreshore on which caught fish are laid out to dry.
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a patch of grassland or meadow near a dwelling.
Etymology
Origin of bawn
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”; see cow 1, town
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
No one but one bawn & bred in the philosophic briar-patch could appreciate Bergson as you do, without in the least understanding him.
From The Letters of William James, Vol. II by William James
Massa Joel musta been bawn on a sunshiny day 'cause he sho' was bright an' good natured.
From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume I, Alabama Narratives by United States. Work Projects Administration
I was livin’ heah fo’ yo’ was bawn!
From Dramatic Technique by George Pierce Baker
I was bawn a slave, but I ain't neber been one.
From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves: Volume I, Alabama Narratives by United States. Work Projects Administration
Like "Brer Rabbit" the catbird is usually "bred and bawn in a brier patch."
From Birds Every Child Should Know by Neltje Blanchan
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
