Definition of "weather-gaw"
weather-gaw
noun
plural weather-gaws
An instance of some phenomenon in the sky said to signal bad weather, such as an incomplete or secondary rainbow, or a parhelion or sun dog; a weather-gall or water-gall.
Quotations
They asked Wattie, who was a very religious man, what could have induced him to gather his sheep on the Sabbath day? He answered, that he had seen an ill-hued weather-gaw that morning, and was afraid it was going to be a drift.
1819 April, James Hogg, “Snow-storms”, in The Shepherd’s Calendar. […], volume II, Edinburgh: William Blackwood; London: T[homas] Cadell, published 1829, page 258
[S]ee how much heavier the clouds fall every moment, and see these weather-gaws that streak the lead-coloured mass with partial gleams of faded red and purple.
1822, [Walter Scott], chapter IV, in The Pirate. […], volume I, Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., page 59
‘The weather-gaw’ he scans above the hill, / Wherein the rainbow's hues with watery sheen / Gleam beautiful upon the grey-dark sky, / Yet ominous of storm; […]
1875, John Veitch, “The Growth of Nature Feeling”, in The Tweed and Other Poems, Glasgow: James Maclehose, publisher to the University; London: Macmillan and Co., page 50
The weather's taking up now, / For yonder's the weather gaw; / How bonny is the east now! / Now the colours fade awa'.A poem originating from Galloway, Scotland.
1898, Richard Inwards, compiler, “Rainbow”, in Weather Lore: A Collection of Proverbs, Sayings, and Rules Concerning the Weather […], 3rd edition, London: Elliot Stock, […], page 135
A period of fine weather in the midst of bad weather.
Quotations
"This is a fine day after the storm." "Aye, but aa doot it's a weather-gaw."
1893–1894, Oliver Heslop, “WEATHER-GAW”, in Northumberland Words. A Glossary of Words Used in the County of Northumberland and on the Tyneside, volume IJ, London: [F]or the English Dialect Society by Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press, […], page 775