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Nailbourne
Definitions
- 1 A chalk stream that only flows intermittently. Kent
"Theſe Nailbourns, or temporary land-ſprings, are not unuſual in the parts of this county eaſtward of Sittingborne, for I know of but one, at Addington near Maidſtone, which is on the other ſide of it. Their time of breaking forth or continuance of running, is very uncertain; but whenever they do break forth, it is held by the common people as the forerunner of ſcarcity and dearneſs of corn and victuals. Sometimes they break out for one or perhaps two ſucceſſive years, and at others with two, three, or more years intervention, and their running continues ſometimes only for a few months, and at others for three or four years, as their ſprings afford a ſupply."
Etymology
From nail + bourne (“seasonal stream or brook”). The etymology of the first part is uncertain. It may derive from ail via a rebracketing of an ailbourne as a nailbourne; compare similar cases such as English newt and nickname.
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