grue
1 of 4intransitive verb
ˈgrü
-ed/-ing/-s
now chiefly dialectal
: to shiver or shudder especially with fear or cold
exposed to the gruesome so extensively … we simply don't grue any more
John Crosby
John Crosbygrue
2 of 4noun (1)
"
plural -s
1
: a fit of shivering : shiver
the sound of wind in the rigging … gave him the chills and the grues R. B. Robertson
R. B. Robertsonimpossible to read without a certain cold grue S. V. Benét
S. V. Benét2
: gruesome quality or effect
a mystery novel … resolved with true grue Anthony Boucher
Anthony Boucherserves the chilliest grue with perfect elegance J. S. Sandoe
J. S. Sandoegrue
3 of 4noun (2)
"
plural -s
now chiefly Scottish
: particle, bit
hasn't a grue of sense
grue
4 of 4noun (3)
"
plural -s
chiefly Scottish
: thin floating ice : snow
Word History
Etymology
Intransitive verb
from earlier grow, from Middle English gruen, growen, probably from Middle Dutch grūwen; akin to Old High German ingrūēn to shiver, shudder, and probably to Old English grēot sand
Noun (2)
Middle English
Noun (3)
origin unknown