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grue

intransitive verb \ ˈgrü \

Definition of grue

-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

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Origin and Etymology of grue

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

2

grue

noun \ " \

Definition of grue

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
  • impossible to read without a certain cold grue
  • —S. V. Benét
2 : gruesome quality or effect
  • a mystery novel … resolved with true grue
  • —Anthony Boucher
  • serves the chilliest grue with perfect elegance
  • —J. S. Sandoe
3

grue

noun \ " \

Definition of grue

plural -s
now chiefly Scottish
: particle, bit
  • hasn't a grue of sense

Origin and Etymology of grue

Middle English

4

grue

noun \ " \

Definition of grue

plural -s
chiefly Scottish
: thin floating ice : snow

Origin and Etymology of grue

origin unknown

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grue

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