scrannel

scrannel
scrannel (adj.) "thin, meager," 1630s; any modern use traces to John Milton ("Lycidas," 124), who may have invented it out of dialectal scranny (see SCRAWNY (Cf. scrawny)). Or from a Scandinavian source akin to Norw. skran "rubbish."

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Scrannel — Scran nel, a. [Cf. {Scrawny}.] Slight; thin; lean; poor. [1913 Webster] Grate on their scrannel pipes of wretched straw. Milton. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • scrannel — [skran′əl] adj. [< Scand, akin to Norw skran, wretched < IE base * (s)ker , to shrink, wrinkle > SCRAG] Archaic 1. thin, lean, or slight 2. harsh and unmusical …   English World dictionary

  • scrannel — ˈskranəl adjective Etymology: origin unknown 1. : thin and grating on the ears : unmelodious their lean and flashy songs grate on their scrannel pipes of wretched straw John Milton 2. chiefly dialect : poor a scrannel …   Useful english dictionary

  • scrannel — adjective Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1637 harsh, unmelodious …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • scrannel — /skran l/, adj. Archaic. 1. thin or slight. 2. squeaky or unmelodious. [1630 40; orig. uncert.] * * * …   Universalium

  • scrannel — adj. harsh, unpleasant to hear; thin or slight; meagre …   English contemporary dictionary

  • scrannel — scran·nel …   English syllables

  • scrannel — /ˈskrænəl/ (say skranuhl) adjective Obsolete 1. thin or slight. 2. squeaky or unmelodious. {compare Norwegian skran lean} …  

  • scrannel —   a. weak; thin; harsh sounding …   Dictionary of difficult words

  • scrannel —  a lean maigre person. Lane …   A glossary of provincial and local words used in England

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