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brownie
brownie. A friendly goblin or sprite of Scottish Gaelic folklore whose name seems to be known exclusively in the English form, which derives from the earlier ‘little brown man’. The brownie wears a brown hood, attaches himself to families, and may reside in farm-houses or barns. He does the chores at night when people sleep; he has even been known to assist in childbirth. If criticized the brownie may revenge himself by breaking dishes, spilling milk, driving the cows astray, or spoiling the crops. Although always thought to be of Scottish Gaelic origin, the brownie is widely known in other parts of the British Isles and the English-speaking world. The brownie has much in common with the kobold of Germanic folklore and may be classed as a solitary fairy, despite its benevolence. See also the Welsh PWCA/BWCI, the Manx FENODYREE, the Cornish PISKIE or pixie, and the Scottish Gaelic BODACH.
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JAMES MacKILLOP. "brownie." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES MacKILLOP. "brownie." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-brownie.html JAMES MacKILLOP. "brownie." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-brownie.html |
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brownie
brownie especially in Scottish folklore, a benevolent elf supposedly haunting houses and doing housework secretly. The name is a diminutive of brown; a ‘wee brown man’ often appears in Scottish ballads and fairy tales, and may be compared with the Old Norse svartálfar, the dark elves of the Edda.
Brownies (now Brownie Guides) are the junior wing of the Guides, wearing a brown uniform; the organization awards points and badges for proficiency in various activities. brownie point an imaginary award given to someone who does good deeds or tries to please. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "brownie." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "brownie." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-brownie.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "brownie." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-brownie.html |
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Brownie
Brown·ie / ˈbrounē/ • n. (pl. -ies) 1. a member of the junior branch of the Girl Scouts, for girls aged between about 6 and 8. 2. (brownie) a small square of rich cake, typically chocolate cake with nuts. 3. (brownie) a benevolent elf supposed to haunt houses and do housework secretly. PHRASES: brownie point inf., humorous an imaginary award given to someone who does good deeds or tries to please: his policy will win brownie points with voters. |
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"Brownie." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Brownie." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-brownie.html "Brownie." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-brownie.html |
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brownie
brownie in Celtic folklore, household spirit associated with farmsteads. Brownies help with chores, but, if criticized, they will make mischief, such as spoiling crops. If payment other than food is offered a brownie, he vanishes from a farm forever. |
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"brownie." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "brownie." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-brownie.html "brownie." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-brownie.html |
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brownie
brownie American cake made with chocolate. Unleavened; probably originated when a cook forgot to add baking powder; first published recipe appeared in 1897.
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DAVID A. BENDER. "brownie." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAVID A. BENDER. "brownie." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-brownie.html DAVID A. BENDER. "brownie." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-brownie.html |
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brownie
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T. F. HOAD. "brownie." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "brownie." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-brownie.html T. F. HOAD. "brownie." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-brownie.html |
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brownie
brownie
•blini, cine, Finney, finny, Ginny, guinea, hinny, mini, Minnie, ninny, pinny, Pliny, shinny, skinny, spinney, tinny, whinny
•kidney, Sidney, Sydney
•chimney
•jitney, Whitney
•Disney
•aborigine, polygeny, polygyny
•androgyny, homogeny, misogyny, progeny
•Gemini
•niminy-piminy, Rimini
•dominie, hominy, Melpomene
•ignominy • Panini • larceny • telecine
•satiny • destiny • mountainy
•mutiny, scrutiny
•briny, Heine, liny, piny, shiny, spiny, tiny, whiny
•sunshiny
•Bonnie, bonny, Connie, johnny, Lonnie, Ronnie, Suwannee
•Rodney
•Cockney, Procne
•Romney • Novotný • Grozny
•brawny, corny, horny, lawny, mulligatawny, scrawny, tawny, thorny
•Orkney • Courtney
•brownie, browny, downy, townie
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"brownie." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "brownie." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-brownie.html "brownie." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-brownie.html |
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