Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡CANEJACH, n. “The spirit who sat on the rooftree of the house of a sick person and whose cry or weeping portended death” (Arg.1 1929). [′kendʒax]
[Gael. caointeach, a female fairy or water-kelpie, whose particular province it was to forewarn her favourite clans of the approach of death in the family by weeping and wailing opposite the kitchen door (MacLennan), from Gael. caoin, to weep, wail.]
