Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A ring of gold or silver, which, after being blessed by the sovereign, was formerly believed to cure cramp and falling-sickness. The custom of blessing great numbers on Good Friday continued down to the time of Queen Mary.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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The Sheriffs flitted, and I can keep canny in the bushso theres no muckle hazard o scouring the cramp-ring.
Chapter XXIII 1917
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To scour the cramp-ring, is said metaphorically for being thrown into fetters, or, generally, into prison.
Chapter XXIII 1917
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But ye are a altered from the gude auld rules, and no wonder that you seour the cramp-ring, and trine to the cheat6sae often.
Chapter XXVIII 1917
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But ye are a 'altered from the gude auld rules, and no wonder that you scour the cramp-ring and trine to the cheat sae often.
Guy Mannering — Complete Walter Scott 1801
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The Sheriff's flitted, and I can keep canny in the bush; so there's no muckle hazard o 'scouring the cramp-ring.
Guy Mannering — Complete Walter Scott 1801
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But ye are a 'altered from the gude auld rules, and no wonder that you scour the cramp-ring and trine to the cheat sae often.
Guy Mannering, Or, the Astrologer — Complete Walter Scott 1801
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But ye are a 'altered from the gude auld rules, and no wonder that you scour the cramp-ring and trine to the cheat sae often.
Guy Mannering, Or, the Astrologer — Volume 01 Walter Scott 1801
Gammerstang commented on the word cramp-ring
(noun) - (1) A ring made of the hinge of a coffin is supposed to have the virtue of preventing the cramp. --Francis Grose's Provincial Glossary, 1787 (2) Formerly, rings made from the hinges of coffins were worn as charms for the cure of fits, or for the prevention of cramp or even rheumatism. The superstition continues, though the metal is of necessity changed, few coffins having now hinges of silver. --John Harland and T.T. Wilkinson's Lancashire Folklore, 1867 (3) When a grave was reopened, people stripped a piece of metal from an old coffin. It was cut in circular shape, a hole was bored in it, and the amulet was worn suspended from a ribbon round the neck. --Marie Trevelyan's Folklore of Wales, 1909
April 23, 2018