broch

1 of 2

obsolete variant of brooch

broch

2 of 2

noun

ˈbräḵ,
ˈbrəḵ
plural -s
1
Scottish : a luminous ring around the moon popularly regarded as an omen of bad weather
2
: one of the prehistoric circular stone towers found on the Orkney and Shetland islands and the Scottish mainland and usually consisting of double walls enclosing small apartments about a central court

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Scots broch, bruch, literally, borough, from Middle English (Scots) brugh borough, alteration of Middle English burgh

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Cite this Entry

“Broch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/broch. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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