crup

Short; brittle (both literally and figuratively).

Adjective

  1. Short; brittle (both literally and figuratively).
    • You'll have a nice walk, as the snow is very crup.
    • Why now so angry, trow ye? What's the matter, That our Sir James is grown so crup and tatter? - 1664, Thomas St Nicholas, Upon Mr. Benchkin, The Curate of Ash, His Presentment of Me to the Consistory Court at Canterbury...
    • […] and care must be had to rost him so leasurely, that he neither burn, nor continue raw: for when the skin seems crup, it is a sign all is rosted, and the Polenta is taken away. - 1669, John Baptista Porta, Natural...

Origin

Compare Old High German grop, German grob (“coarse”).

Forms

more crup most crup

Noun

  1. Alternative form of croup (the rump of a horse)
    • The part immediately above the tail (i.e., the haunches) is the crup, and about 4 to 5 inches above the crup the butt is separated from the hide. - 1904, The Leather Manufacturer - Volumes 15-16, page 105:

Forms

crups