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 more

—John 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 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

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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