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

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

Indeed, I have often heard him say that he saw more of the man in the brief space of that interview than of others in many intromissions, and he used to depict him to me as a hale, black-avised carl, of an o'ersea look, with a long dark beard inclining to grey; his abundant hair, flowing down from his cowl, was also clouded and streaked with the kithings of the cranreuch of age.

From Project Gutenberg