gowan

(redirected from Gowans)

gow·an

(gou′ən)

n. Scots

A yellow or white wildflower, especially a daisy.

[Probably alteration of Middle English gollan, a plant with yellow flowers; akin to Old Norse gullinn, golden, from gull, gold; see ghel- in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

gowan

(ˈɡaʊən)

(Plants) Scot any of various yellow or white flowers growing in fields, esp the common daisy

[C16: variant of gollan, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse gullin golden]

ˈgowaned adj

ˈgowany adj

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

gow•an

(ˈgaʊ ən)

n. Chiefly Scot.

any of various yellow or white field flowers, esp. the English daisy.

[1560–70; earlier gollan < Old Norse gollinn golden]

gow′aned, adj.

gow′an•y, adj.

References in classic literature ?

We twa hae run about the braes And pu'd the gowans' fine

Micawber, with the old roll in his voice, and the old indescribable air of saying something genteel, 'what gowans may be, but I have no doubt that Copperfield and myself would frequently have taken a pull at them, if it had been feasible.'

View in context

We twa hae run about the braes, And pu'd the gowans fine; But we've wander'd mony a weary foot, Sin auld lang syne.

View in context

'Allow me to introduce myself--Henry Gowan. A pretty place this, and looks wonderfully well this morning!'

The manner was easy, and the voice agreeable; but still Clennam thought, that if he had not made that decided resolution to avoid falling in love with Pet, he would have taken a dislike to this Henry Gowan.

'It's new to you, I believe?' said this Gowan, when Arthur had extolled the place.

This Gowan when he had talked about a Paradise, had gone up to her and taken her hand.

'Well, Gowan,' said Mr Meagles, even suppressing a sigh; 'how goes the world with you this morning?'

The father of that father who married a Barnacle, married a Joddleby.--I am getting a little too far back, Gowan; I want to make out what relation this young fellow is to Lord Decimus.'

'I am much obliged to you,' said Gowan, to conclude the subject.

More than once or twice when Pet caressed the dog, it appeared to Clennam that her father was unhappy in seeing her do it; and, in one particular instance when Gowan stood on the other side of the dog, and bent his head at the same time, Arthur fancied that he saw tears rise to Mr Meagles's eyes as he hurried out of the room.

This Gowan had plenty to say for himself, and said it in an off-hand and amusing manner.