Cauld

/kɔːld/ adjective

Definition

A Scots word meaning cold, used in Scottish literature and dialect to describe cold temperatures or cold attitudes.

Etymology

From Old English 'ceald,' cognate with German 'kalt' and Dutch 'koud.' Scottish English preserved this older pronunciation while standard English shifted to 'cold.'

Kelly Says

Scottish preserved the older-sounding version of 'cold'—'cauld'—which shows how regional dialects can be windows into how English sounded centuries ago, like linguistic time capsules!

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