Meaning of weather-gaw | Babel Free

Definitions

1. An instance of some phenomenon in the sky said to signal bad weather, such as an incomplete or secondary rainbow, or a parhelion or sun dog; a weather-gall or water-gall.
   Scotland, UK, dialectal, often
2. A period of fine weather in the midst of bad weather.
   Scotland, UK, dialectal, often

Examples

“They asked Wattie, who was a very religious man, what could have⟳ induced him to gather his sheep on the Sabbath day? He answered, that he had seen an ill-hued weather-gaw that morning, and was afraid it was going to be a drift.”

“[S]ee how much heavier the clouds fall⟳ every moment, and see⟳ these weather-gaws that streak the lead-coloured mass with partial gleams of faded red and purple.”

“‘The weather-gaw’ he scans above the hill, / Wherein the rainbow's hues with watery sheen / Gleam beautiful upon the grey-dark sky, / Yet ominous of storm; […]”

“Weather-gaw, part of a rainbow seen, the greater part of the bow being intercepted.”

“The weather's taking up now, / For yonder's the weather gaw; / How bonny is the east now! / Now the colours fade⟳ awa'.”

“After supper I'll take⟳ you home—if the weather keeps good-humoured. Those weather-gaws aren't out for nothing. It'll rain⟳ cats and dogs to-morrow.”

“"This is a fine day after the storm." "Aye, but aa doot it's a weather-gaw."”

CEFR level