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trow

trow

9.9
A magical creature from Orkney and Shetland stories that plays tricks on people
  • noun
  • /traʊ/
  • Archaic
translation icon : trow
  • Children in Shetland were warned not to wander at dusk for fear of meeting a trow.

Examples

  • The legend says a group of trows danced on the hills under the full moon.

  • In old stories, a trow would sneak into houses at night to play tricks on people.

  • A trow guards the treasure.

  • The trow danced in the moonlight.

  • In old stories, a trow would sneak into houses at night to play tricks on people.

  • Children in Shetland were warned not to wander at dusk for fear of meeting a trow.

  • The legend says a group of trows danced on the hills under the full moon.

Synonyms

troll
vstrow
  • Literature
99 8.2

A creature from Scandinavian stories that often lives in caves or mountains

is broader and includes smaller and less hostile supernatural beings
drow
vstrow
  • Literature
19 9.9

A dark elf who lives underground in fantasy stories and games

is traditional folklore rather than modern fictional worldbuilding
bogle
vstrow
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A ghost or goblin from Scottish and northern English stories

is similar but names creatures across a wider folklore range
alf
vstrow
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A small magical being in old stories, like a fairy

is specific to the northern isles and includes several creature types
sidhe
vstrow
  • Literature
1 9.9

Magical beings in Irish stories like fairies who live in hills

is similar but rooted specifically in northern isles folklore
pooka
vstrow
  • Literature
1 9.9

A mischievous spirit from Irish stories that often appears as an animal

is broader, covering many creature types beyond trickster animals
puckle
vstrow
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A small mischievous spirit that plays tricks on people at night

is a regional term covering both playful and frightening beings
Thurs
vstrow
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A giant monster in Norse stories that fights gods or people

is less specifically hostile and covers varied temperaments
pook
vstrow
  • Archaic
9.9

A mischievous spirit from Celtic stories that appears as an animal and plays tricks

is more general, not limited to playful trick behavior
Robin Goodfellow
vstrow
  • Literature
9.9

A playful fairy in old stories who hides things and plays tricks on people

is broader and includes serious or neutral supernatural types

Surface Forms

trow singular
trows plural

Etymology

Trow for a fairy or goblin in Orkney and Shetland comes from an old Norse word like our word troll, meaning a small supernatural being. So a trow is a little creature from folk stories that often plays tricks or hides from people.