grue

intransitive verb

\ˈgrü\

-ed/-ing/-s

Definition of grue

(Entry 1 of 4)

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

grue

noun (1)

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plural -s

Definition of grue (Entry 2 of 4)

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

grue

noun (2)

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plural -s

Definition of grue (Entry 3 of 4)

now chiefly Scottish

: particle, bit hasn't a grue of sense

grue

noun (3)

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plural -s

Definition of grue (Entry 4 of 4)

chiefly Scottish

: thin floating ice : snow

History and Etymology for grue

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

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