woodwose

English

Etymology

Late Old English wuduwāsa.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈwʊdwəʊz/

Noun

woodwose (plural woodwoses)

  1. A wild man of the woods; a faun, a satyr or a representation of such a being in heraldry or other decoration.
    • 1962, Vladimir Nabokov, Pale Fire:
      The young woodwose had now closed his eyes and was stretched out supine on the pool's marble margin; his Tarzan brief had been cast aside on the turf.
    • 2007, J. R. R. Tolkien edited by Christopher Tolkien, The Children of Húrin:
      'If the cub has a grievance, let him bring it to the King's judgement,' answered Saeros. 'But the drawing of swords here is not to be excused for any such cause. Outside the hall, if the woodwose draws on me, I shall kill him.'
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