gyre-carline Sc.
(ˈgaɪəˌkɑːlɪn)
Also 6 gyr(e)-, gyir-carling, (9 giean carlin).
[f. ON. g{yacu}gr = Norw. dial. gjure ogress, witch + carline1. Cf. ON. g{yacu}gjar-karl the husband of an ogress.]
The mother-witch; a witch, hag.
| 1535 Lyndesay Satyre 4592 [Folly speaks] My gudame, the Gyre Carling, Leirnde me the Prophesie of Marling. a 1605 Polwart Flyting w. Montgomerie 661 Leaue boggles, brownies, gyr-carlings and gaists. 1815 Scott Guy M. iii, The elves and the gyre-carlings. 1822 ― Pirate vi, What kind of a country of guisards and gyre-carlines is this! |