garron

noun

gar·​ron ˈger-ən How to pronounce garron (audio)
ˈga-rən,
gə-ˈrȯn How to pronounce garron (audio)
Scotland and Ireland
: a small sturdy workhorse

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Irish gearrán & Scottish Gaelic gearran "gelding, small horse," going back to Middle Irish gerrán, from gerr "short, castrated" (of uncertain origin) + -án, nominalizing suffix

Note: Earlier comparisons of Irish gerr (< *gers-?) with Greek cheírōn "worse, weaker" (nominative plural chérēes "of lower rank") or with Sanskrit hrasati "(it) is diminished, becomes small" are doubtful.

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of garron was in 1540

Dictionary Entries Near garron

Cite this Entry

“Garron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/garron. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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