carline

American  

[kahr-lin, ker-] / ˈkɑr lɪn, ˈkɛr- /

Or carlin

noun

Chiefly Scot.

1. an old woman.

2. a hag; witch.

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carline ¹ British  

/ ˈkɑːlɪn /

noun

1. an old woman, hag, or witch

2. a variant of carling

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carline ² British  

/ ˈkɑːlɪn /

noun

1. Also called: carline thistle.  a Eurasian thistle-like plant, Carlina vulgaris, having spiny leaves and flower heads surrounded by raylike whitish bracts: family Asteraceae (composites)

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Etymology

Origin of carline

1350–1400; Middle English (north) kerling < Old Norse: old woman, equivalent to kerl (mutated variant of karl man) + -ing -ing ¹

Example Sentences

January 27, 2010 2:20 pm Link Mrs. Accillien, where can I drop off my donated goods? — carline 22.

From New York Times • Jan. 27, 2010

Mr. Swett thought that a company of actors would encourage a larger volume of traffic for the carline, and he was right.

From Time Magazine Archive

Good-e'en, ye nettles tall, Where ye grow at the dyke; If the auld carline my mother was here Sae weel 's she wad ye pike.

From The Balladists Famous Scots Series by Geddie, John

Now wore away the time of autumn till it wanted but three weeks of winter; then the carline bade bear her to the sea-shore.

From The Story of Grettir the Strong by Morris, William

She clung dizzily to the fence for a few moments, and then, feeling somewhat relieved by the cold wind blowing strongly against her face, struck out once more for the carline.

From The Camp Fire Girls Solve a Mystery or, The Christmas Adventure at Carver House by Frey, Hildegard G. (Hildegard Gertrude)