English Explanatory Dictionary

Gretna Green

English dictionary entry

Meanings

name
  1. A village on the border between England and Scotland (in Dumfries and Galloway council area just inside Scotland), famous for easy marriages (OS grid ref NY3168).
noun
  1. Any town with liberal marriage laws, a place where couples elope.
adj
  1. carried out quickly and secretively in a jurisdiction that is not the bride or groom's own. (of a marriage)

Word forms

Gretna Green Gretna Greens

Etymology

"Green at the gravelly hill", from Old English greot (“grit”) and hoh (“hill”).

Related words

elopement shotgun wedding
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