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Added 9 October 2026

cairn

/kɛən/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about cairn at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path.
Small rough-haired breed of terrier from Scotland.

Origin

From Scots cairn, from Scottish Gaelic càrn, from Old Irish carn, from Proto-Celtic *karnos, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂- (“horn”). Compare Welsh carn, Cornish carn. Doublet of carn and horn.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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