grue

1 of 4

intransitive 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 moreJohn Crosby

grue

2 of 4

noun (1)

"
plural -s
1
: a fit of shivering : shiver
the sound of wind in the rigging … gave him the chills and the gruesR. B. Robertson
impossible to read without a certain cold grueS. V. Benét
2
: gruesome quality or effect
a mystery novel … resolved with true grueAnthony Boucher
serves the chilliest grue with perfect eleganceJ. S. Sandoe

grue

3 of 4

noun (2)

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

grue

4 of 4

noun (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

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Dictionary Entries Near grue

Cite this Entry

“Grue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grue. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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