Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

CLOW, Klow, n.¹ Sc. forms of Eng. clove. [klʌu]

1. “The spice called a clove” (Sc. 1825 Jam.²; Bnff.², Abd.², Ags.¹, Fif.¹⁰ 1936); the dried flower-bud of Eugenia aromatica.Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 120:
Robbie Peterson an' I wis apo da lee side o' da bier, an' harkin' ta me he said, “Tammas is gottin his breath shang'd! Feel ye no da wa geng alto he's aetin klows, Magnus?”Sh.(D) 1928 Lowrie in Hospital in Shet. Times (14 July) 3/6:
I tink she shurly hed clows among da watter fur dey wir a pritty odour wi hit, an made me sleep laek a tap.Inv. 1725 Letter-Bk. Bailie J. Steuart (ed. W. Mackay 1915) 229:
The clow and Nutmeag James Grant has.

†2. “The clove-gilliflower” (Mearns 1825 Jam.²) or clove-pink, Dianthus caryophyllus. The unshortened forms, clowjuly floure, clow-gillieflower, are also used (see note). Also attrib.Sc. 1705 Account Bk. Sir J. Foulis (S.H.S. 1894) 393:
Aug. 7: for clowjuly floures . . . 0.15.6.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality v.:
Take mind about the putting out the candle, and there's a horn of ale, and a glass of clow-gillieflower water.