on grouf
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Scots
[edit]Etymology
[edit]A set phrase consisting of on + grouf. Cognate with Middle English o grufe, Icelandic á grúfu (“face down”).
Adverb
[edit]on grouf (not comparable)
- (Middle Scots, obsolete) face-down
- (Middle Scots, obsolete, by extension) grieving
- 15th century, Robert Henryson, The Testament of Cresseid, pages 361–362:
- Madame, your father biddis yow cum in hy: he hes merwell sa lang on grouf ye ly ..
- Madam, your father bids you come quickly: he marvels that you lay so long in grief ..