girn
1 Americanverb (used with or without object)
noun
verb
-
to snarl
-
to grimace; pull grotesque faces
-
to complain fretfully or peevishly
Etymology
Origin of girn
C14: a variant of grin
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.
"Ye needn't girn that away, Jane Browst," whispered Aunt Perrine, emphatically.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 10, No. 60, October, 1862 by Various
Mr Hickery rose to offer some apology; but, perceiving I had now got him in a girn, I interposed my authority, and would not permit him to proceed.
From The Provost by Galt, John
"I won't girn any more if you'll court me," she promised.
From The Foolish Lovers by Ervine, St. John G. (St. John Greer)
Say you so," cried the bailie, remembering the offence done to his family, "say you so; and that he is in a girn that wants but a manly hand to grip him.
From Ringan Gilhaize or The Covenanters by Galt, John
What gies him that side-look, that fearfu girn, an' his slouchin walk!
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Vol. XX by Leighton, Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
