corbie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very rareDialectal, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “corbie” mean?
A raven, crow, or carrion crow.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A raven, crow, or carrion crow.
A term used primarily in Scots and Northern English dialects. It can also refer to a type of crow-step gable in architecture ('corbie-steps') and appears in heraldry and literary contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is essentially unknown in general American English. It is specific to Scots and Northern English dialects within the UK.
Connotations
In its native regions, it is a straightforward, though now old-fashioned, term for the bird. Elsewhere, it sounds poetic or archaic.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, but marginally higher in Scottish contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “corbie” in a Sentence
[Subject: bird] + be + a corbieThe + corbie + verb (e.g., cawed, flew)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corbie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare/Non-standard) The dark birds would corbie about the cliffs.
American English
- (Not used)
adjective
British English
- (In compounds) The house had a corbie-stepped gable.
American English
- (Not used)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical linguistics, literature studies, and Scottish history.
Everyday
Virtually never used in general everyday English outside specific Scottish dialects.
Technical
Can appear in architectural descriptions ('corbie-steps').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corbie”
- Using it as a general term for any bird.
- Pronouncing it as /kɔːrˈbaɪ/ (it is /ˈkɔːrbi/).
- Assuming it is common in modern English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic and dialectal. It is rarely used outside of historical or literary contexts, primarily in Scotland.
In its dialectal use, 'corbie' can refer to a raven or a crow. It is not a scientifically distinct term but a regional name for these corvid birds.
Corbie steps (or crow steps) are the stepped designs often seen on the sloping sides of stone gables in traditional Scottish and Northern European architecture.
Unless you are speaking in a Scots dialect context, using 'corbie' will likely confuse your listener. It is best to use the standard terms 'raven' or 'crow'.
A raven, crow, or carrion crow.
Corbie is usually dialectal, literary, archaic in register.
Corbie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːrbi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Corbie messenger: A messenger who returns too late or not at all (from the raven sent out by Noah that did not return).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CORpse being eaten by a cORBIE – both the bird and the word are associated with older, darker times.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEATH / ILL OMEN (as a scavenging black bird); SCOTLAND / THE PAST (as a dialect word).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'corbie'?