Dictionary

woodwose en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈwʊdwəʊz/

Etymology

From Middle English wodwo, from Old English wuduwāsa.

Meanings

1. A wild man of the woods; a faun or satyr, or a representation of such a being in heraldry or other decoration.
   • 'If the cub has a grievance, let him bring it to the King's judgement,' answered Saeros. 'But the drawing of swords here is not to be excused for any such cause. Outside the hall, if the woodwose draws on me, I shall kill him.' 2007, J. R. R. Tolkien edited by Christopher Tolkien, The Children of Húrin:
   • The young woodwose had now closed his eyes and was stretched out supine on the pool's marble margin; his Tarzan brief had been cast aside on the turf. 1962, Vladimir Nabokov, Pale Fire:

Forms