hernshaw

[ hurn-shaw ]

/ ˈhɜrn ʃɔ /

noun British Dialect.

a heron.

QUIZZES

Discover The Influence Of Portuguese On English Via This Quiz!

We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?

Question 1 of 11

Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?

owl

crow

piranha

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby hernshaw

hernio-, hernioid, hernioplasty, herniorrhaphy, herniotomy, hernshaw, hernández, hero, hero sandwich, hero worship, hero's formula

Origin of hernshaw

1555–65; variant of dial. heronsew, Middle English < Middle French heronceau, heroncel, diminutive of heron heron

Example sentences from the Web for hernshaw

To know a hawk from a hernshaw is an ancient proverb, sometimes corrupted into handsaw.
Hamlet|William Shakespeare
Miss Hernshaw didn't seek to fathom the mystery of his closing words.
Questionable Shapes|William Dean Howells
Meantime, a courier was despatched to Hernshaw Castle, to prepare for Mrs. Gaunt's reception.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 109, November, 1866|Various
So she kept all her sweetness for that little cottage, and all her acidity for Hernshaw Castle.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 103, May, 1866|Various

And, that same night, Mrs. Gaunt left Hernshaw in her own chariot between two constables, and escorted by armed yeomen.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 107, September, 1866|Various