Pryan (also prian) (noun)
pry-an
(dialect British, South West English Mining) Soft white gravelly clay.
Mid 17th century. Apparently from Cornish pry clay (Middle Cornish pry; cognate with Welsh pridd soil, earth, Early Irish cré soil, earth, clay (Irish cré), further etymology uncertain, perhaps related to classical Latin crēta chalk) + a suffix of uncertain origin, perhaps -en, although this usually forms adjectives.
Example sentences
“The pryan exposed on the gravelly hilltops.”
Praetorian (adj) (noun) pri-taw-ree-un of or relating to a praetor (a magistrate in the Roman republic). a soldier of the Praetorian Guard (Roman imperial army) First recorded in 1375–1425; late…
