Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

¶CUE-OWL, n.comb. A variety of owl, poss. intended for the tawny owl, Strix atuco.Kcb. 1905 Crockett Cherry Ribband xlix.:
A run for the bat to flit through while the cue-owl mews fitfully without.

[The word is nonce, the first element being prob. imit. of its call.]