scarry
English
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈskɑːɹi/
Etymology 1
From Middle English scarri, equivalent to scar (“rocky eminence”) + -y.[1][2]
Adjective
scarry (comparative scarrier, superlative scarriest)
- Like a scar, or rocky eminence.
- 1577, William Harrison, “[An Historicall Description of the Islande of Britayne, […].] Of such Riuers as fall into the Sea, betweene Humber to the Thames.”, in The Firste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande […], volume I, London: […] [Henry Bynneman] for Iohn Harrison, →OCLC, folio 31, verso, column 1:
- When it [the aurochs] is come to Maſham, it receyueth the Burne, by ſouth weſt (as it dyd the wile, from very déepe ſcarry rockes, befoꝛe at Aſkaran) and dyuers other wild rilles not woꝛthy to be remẽbꝛed, […]
Etymology 2
From scar (“mark of wound”) + -y.[3]
Adjective
scarry (comparative scarrier, superlative scarriest)
- Bearing scars, or marks of wounds.
- 2020, Lesley L. Smith, A Jack For All Seasons, page 45:
- The biggest, scariest, scarriest man in the room said, “It’s about time, Jones.”
References
- “scarry”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- ^ “scā̆rrī, adj.(2)”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
- ^ “scarry, adj.1”, in OED Online , Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
- ^ “scarry, adj.2”, in OED Online , Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.