froe
See also: frö
English
Alternative forms
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /fɹoʊ/
- Homophones: 'fro, fro
Etymology 1
Abbreviation of obsolete frower, from froward (“turned away”), referring to the orientation of the blade, at right angles to the handle. From late 16th century.[1]
Noun
froe (plural froes)
Translations
a cleaving tool for splitting cask staves and shingles from the block
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Derived terms
Etymology 2
See frow.
Noun
froe (plural froes)
- (obsolete) A dirty woman; a slattern; a frow.
- 1630, Michael Drayton, Nymphal IV, [from The Muses Elizium], 1793, The Works of the British Poets, Volume 3: Drayton, Carew & Suckling, page 618,
- Like to thoſe raging frantic froes / For Bacchus' feaſts prepared;
- 1630, Michael Drayton, Nymphal IV, [from The Muses Elizium], 1793, The Works of the British Poets, Volume 3: Drayton, Carew & Suckling, page 618,