An Old Germanic Poetic Lexicon
A comparative vocabulary
of Old Norse, Old English and Old Saxon, illustrating concepts and
objects
drawn mainly from the poetry.
(Updated 15 Sept 2011)
This
small glossary
aims to provide a comparative poetic vocabulary of those Old Germanic
dialects
in which most poetry has been preserved, i.e. Old Norse, Old English
and Old
Saxon. Total inclusion or completeness is not possible but the aim has
been to
include as many words and phrases as possible which are characteristic
both of
the Old Germanic verse idiom and the ancient, heathen and heroic
societies
which the poetry generally reflected. Of especial interest therefore,
are those
terms and metaphors which relate to Dark Age and medieval warfare,
weapons,
heathen cult and deities, seafaring, folk beliefs, the supernatural,
myth and
legend, honour, heroic spirit and the upper strata of human society.
Quite
many of
the poetic words overlap into prose usage, however, and these are
included, in
addition to not a few items which are mainly found only in prose, for
the sake
of comparison and fullness.
The
comparative
lists in De Oudgermaansche
Dichtertaal
in haar Ethnologisch Verband [see booklist] have
laid the bare foundation
of this glossary but the majority of the words or compounds have been
drawn
from the following sources: Ordbog
over det norsk-islandske Skjaldesprog by Egilsson
and Jónsson, Norrøn Ordbok
by Heggstad (et al.), Clark Hall's Anglo-Saxon Dictionary,
Barney's Wordhoard,
Pollington's Wordcraft,
Turville-Petre's Myth and Religion
of the North
and Heyne's Hêliand, nebst den
Bruchstücken der altsächsischen Genesis, as well as
Zoëga's A Concise Dictionary of Old
Icelandic
and the glossaries to Gallée's Altsächsische
Grammatik and Holthausen's Altsächsisches
Wörterbuch. The superb Íslensk
Orðabók, despite being a dictionary of modern
Icelandic, is also useful
for the ON poetic language and has proven very helpful in researching
items
which are not found in the ON dictionaries. Also exceptionally useful
has been
C.W.M. Grein's dedicated study Sprachschatz
der Angelsächsischen Dichter (although it would be
considerably more
useful if the OE items were translated into German and not Latin!).
Finally, my
own notes on OE and ON poetic vocabulary from 3 years' and 2 years'
respective
university study of the subjects and other later notes have done good
service.
For
far more
poetic expressions in ON than is possible to include here, including
the
challenging kennings, the
interested
reader is referred to the excellent Ordbog
over det norsk-islandske Skjaldesprog.
Hopefully
the
vocabulary given below will prove useful for those who are studying the
ancient
poetry of more than one ancient Germanic dialect, in addition to being
fascinating from a comparative and semantic point of view. Just how
uniform the
basic world-view of our Germanic forefathers (at least that represented
by the
literate classes in the poetry and prose literature) was, will become
clear
from an examination of the words and idioms below.
Some
of the
numerous correspondences can be noted here. Examples follow the order
given in
the lists, i.e. ON - OE - (OS). It is important to bear in mind that
many of
the terms which appear in two or all three of the Old Germanic dialects
examined here will have had usages or levels of style that differed
relatively.
An OE poetic term denoting "war", gûð,
is frequently found in Old English poetry, and gûth
appears to be well favoured by Old
Saxon writers too. The Old Norse equivalent, gunnr,
is chiefly poetic but not much used outside names for
valkyries and other terms are preferred in ON. Where I have some
feeling for
the relative commonality of the mutual terms, I have tried to indicate
this. I
have been unable to determine the style registers of the OS words but
as rule
of thumb, these will almost always conform to those of the
corresponding OE
words or idioms.
The
poetic
register tends to be more conservative and archaic than the vocabulary
of
prose, so that a poetic term in OE which is prosaic in ON, reflects
different
strata of vocabulary in those languages having become increasingly
valid at
differing times and the influence of different loanwords on OE and ON.
So frêa in OE was poetic, archaic
and not
especially used, while in ON freyr
is known from the prose. Words which are poetic in OE and ON or even
all three,
suggest a stage of the vocabulary which was once common to the parent
Germanic
language - even in prose - but which now only survive in archaic poetic
usage
in the older forms of the Germanic dialects.
It
is not easy
to explain the discrepancies in the relative frequency and stylistic
usage of
words that the three dialects have in common. Why, for example, do OE
and OS
make frequent use of gûð and gûth in the poetry, while ON uses
cognate gunnr rarely (and then
often
in limited ways)? Why was ON jörmungrund
still to be found in prose in the late medieval period, while
its OE
equivalent eormengrund was already
poetic and archaic several centuries earlier? Why were words like ON jór, OE êoh
"steed" poetic and archaic in both already by the
time of the earliest records? Why was ON meiðmar
being only used in the poetry while its OE equivalent mâðm
was also used in prose writings? Absence of a cognate in OS may
well be due to obsolescence but we also have to reckon with it simply
not
having been recorded. Several factors may have given rise to such
situations
where certain words were favoured above others, some words were
confined to a
particular stylistic register or had even fallen out of use in one or
more of
the old Germanic dialects by the time of the earliest records. We have
to
reckon with issues such as different exposure to foreign influences,
culture
and loanwords (the priests and writers of the continental Saxons, for
example,
were more exposed to such influences than the Icelandic saga writers).
The
earlier conversion to Christianity (therefore a new literary genre and
worldview) of first the Anglo-Saxons and then their kindred on the
Continent in
relation to the acceptance of Christ by the Scandinavians, must have
amplified
those cultural and lexical differences that already existed. The
practices,
beliefs and lower mythology that accompanied belief in the old Germanic
gods
were far more enduring in Scandinavia than in England or on the
Continent, and
this would come to be reflected in their literary output and the
vocabulary
used in it. Where old practices or beliefs still prevailed, the equally
ancient
terms used to describe them would still have a place in the vocabulary
and
literature. An important factor to consider is also providence - what
have we
been left with and what has been destroyed (deliberately or by
accident)? It
may be that a whole series of writings in OE and OS containing hitherto
unknown
words in poetry or prose have been destroyed because either their
subject
matter was deemed inappropriate or else their content did not suit the
political establishment of the day. We simply do not know. But the
extant
evidence does tend to suggest that there was not a corresponding body
of
literature in OE or OS which refers directly to (or else alludes to)
pre-Christian society and its beliefs, such as exists in ON. Since
writing
about such matters would have been taboo for the early Christian
writers
(living, as they were, in lands that had only been Christian for a few
generations and were now threatened by heathen raiders from the north),
we can
expect that in time, the knowledge of the words used to express such
older
concepts and beliefs would have faded from memory, while in
Scandinavia, this
knowledge was largely kept alive.
Whatever
the
reasons, it is clear that already by the time of the earliest writings
in their
respective dialects, OE, OS and ON often differ to quite a degree
concerning
words of the common Germanic inheritance they still use, what they mean
and
what stylistic areas are in which they are used. Yet despite these
differences,
it is obvious from a glance at the wordlists below, that there is a
great deal
still in common and the differences are probably smaller than the
commonalities. We are in a number of cases dealing with words of a
common
Germanic literary heritage. All three dialects are still capable of
expressing
the pre-Christian heroic ethos in their poetry and prose, aspects of
their
lower mythology and relating tales of their illustrious Germanic
forefathers
from bygone ages. Christian saints and heroes themselves are often
described
and depicted as if they were warriors and heroes of a pre-Christian
age.
Hopefully, the common Germanic heritage of these three different
Germanic
cultures will be made clear by the glossaries below and what they still
have in
common (rather than where they differ), be made manifest to the reader.
dróttinn
- dryhten
- druhtin "lord, ruler" -
the term is common in all three but I would say slightly more so in the
West
Germanic dialects.
þjóðann
- þêoden
- thiodan "lord, prince" -
these three are almost exclusively met with in the poetry, as far as I
know.
valdandi
- wealdend
- waldand/waldo "ruler,
lord" - Certainly in OE, the word is mainly a part of the poetic
register,
where it is often applied to God.
vísir
- wîsa
- wîso "leader, chief" -
usage expands far into prose e.g. OE herewîsa
"general, leader in battle". ON vísi,
however, is found only in the poetry.
vörðr
- weard
- ward "guardian, protector,
watchman" - are found in both prose and poetry, although in the sense
of
"king, ruler" mainly in poetry.
freyr
- frêa - frôho "lord" - in ON it is found in prose but in OE
only in the poetry. It was therefore probably an archaic term and
obsolete in
prose.
herra
- hearra - hêrro "lord"
is late and prosaic in ON but poetic in OE. The ON word is a loan from
Middle
Low German.
jarl
- eorl - erl "earl,
nobleman, chief; man" - are
found in both registers, but in OE poetic usage, only "man" is
implied.
þjóð
- þêod - thiud "nation,
people, folk" - are found in both registers.
lýðr
- lêod - liud "people,
folk" - are found in poetry and
prose.
gumi
- guma - gumo "man,
hero, warrior" - are poetic terms
in OE and ON.
rekkr
- rinc
- rink "warrior, man" -
found in ON prose, the OE equivalent is only from the poetry.
halr
- hæleð
- helið "hero, doughty
warrior" - is from the poetic register in both ON and OE.
seggr
- secg
- segg "man, warrior" - is
from the poetic register in both ON and OE.
kona/kván
-
cwên - quena
"woman, wife; queen" are clearly related words,
even if the OE and OS words still retain the more elevated meanings of
"queen, lady".
víf
-
wîf(mann)
- wîf "wife" is poetic in ON but
prosaic in both OE and OS.
mögr
-
mago
- magu "son, youth" is
prosaic in ON but poetic in OE, where is also has the wider meanings of
"male kinsman; retainer, warrior".
ambátt
-
ambeht
- ambaht(mann)
are clearly the same word and aside from the gender difference,
all refer to a state of service to a lord or master. The word appears
to be
mainly prosaic in all three dialects. The ON word has the additional
meaning of
"concubine".
meiðmar
- mâðm
- mêðom "treasure" - the
OE term is also found in prose, but the ON equivalent is only found in
poetry.
valr
- wæl
- wal "slaughter, corpses of
the slain" - all three terms are popular in prose and poetry.
hræ
- hræw - hrêo "carrion,
slain bodies" - are found in poetry and prose.
svefn
- swefn - sweðan "sleep;
dream" - are considered mainly
prosaic.
víg
- wîg - wîg "war,
battle" - are found in poetry
and prose.
hildr
- hild - hildia "battle"
- are poetic terms in ON and OE.
gunnr
- gûð - gûth/gûðia "battle,
war" is entirely poetic and infrequent in ON and although poetic in OE
and
OS, is rather more frequently encountered in these dialects. Part of
the reason
for the word becoming obsolete in ON can perhaps be attributed to its
use as a
valkyrie name and its use in personal names.
herr
- here - heri means
primarily in ON and OE "army, troops, host" but generally carries a
wider meaning of "people, folk" in OS. It is found in both registers
in all three dialects.
hjörr
- heoro - heru- "sword"
- is poetic in OE but found in both registers in ON.
mækir
- mêce - mâki "sword" - is poetic in OE but found in both
registers in ON (cf. Gothic mêkeis).
borð
- bord - bord "shield"
- are poetic terms in ON and OE.
sveiti
- swât - swêt is
prosaic to mean both "sweat" and "blood" in ON but the
latter meaning is poetic only in OE.
gríma
- grîma - grîmo "helmet"
(lit. "mask") - is poetic in OE but found in both
registers in ON.
megin
- mægen - megin means
in ON, OE and OS "power, might, strength" but also carries a further
meaning in OE and OS of "troops, force". It
is found in both registers in all three dialects.
viggr
- wicg - wigg "steed,
horse" - are poetic terms in ON
and OE.
hof
- hof
- hof illustrates a clear North vs.
West Germanic split. In ON the word denoted "heathen temple" and is
often found in Norwegian and Icelandic place-names (a secondary and
later
meaning of "court" derives from Middle Low German influence). In OE
and OS (and the West Germanic languages in general) the primary meaning
is
"farm, enclosure, dwelling, house" (although in OE it could
also denote a heathen temple).
sótt
-
suht
- suht are all the same word and
they have not diverged in meaning. The word is prosaic in all three
dialects.
svelta
-
sweltan
- sweltan all denote "die,
perish" (also "starve" in ON) and represents one of the many OE
stems we have lost from English (cf. derivative swylt).
The verb is mainly prosaic.
deyja
-
diegan
- dôian "die" is perhaps a
late loan into OE, probably from ON (although it may represent a lost
Anglian dêgan).
mæla
-
(ge)mælan
- mahlian "speak, say, talk" are
all prosaic (wheras OE maþelian is
mainly poetic). We could
also mention the prosaic segja - secgan - seggian
"say, speak", and the slightly more elevated kveða
- cweþan - queðan
"say, speak" (cf. archaic English quoth).
uðr/unnr
- ýð - ûðia
"wave" - are found in poetry and prose.
nökkvi
- naca
- nako "ship, boat" is prosaic in ON but from OE poetry.
naðr
- nædre
- nadara "adder, snake, viper" is prosaic in all three
dialects.
fold
- folde
- fold "earth, ground" - is
poetic in OE but found in both registers in ON.
holt
-
holt
- holt is prosaic in all three
dialects (cf. German Holz) although
it is hardly common in ON, where viðr
and skógr are the preferred terms.
The word is still found in a slightly narrower sense in modern English.
In
modern Icelandic it is now a poetic word.
fjörr
-
feorh
- ferah "life" - is found
in prose and poetry in ON and OE (cf. also Gothic fairhvus,
OHG ferah,
OFris. ferech).
miðgarðr
- middangeard
- middilgard "earth, the middle
kingdom" - are considered mainly prosaic. In OE and OS, the terms
probably
originally denoted the dwelling of men see from a heathen viewpoint
(just as in
ON miðgarðr) but could easily be
adapted to meet a Christian ideology, with Hell below and Heaven above
the world
of men.
tungl
- tungol
- tungal "star, moon, celestial
body" - are considered mainly prosaic. The ON word is still very much
alive and productive in modern Icelandic.
áss
-
ôs
- ôs "heathen god, godhead,
divinity" is mainly prosaic in ON and OE and presumably also in OS.
vé
-
wîg
- wîh "heathen shrine, temple;
idol" is prosaic in ON but mainly poetic in OE. It is found in numerous
place-names, particularly in Norway and Sweden, as well as being known
in a few
English toponyms (see my article on traces of heathen cult in Germanic
place-names).
hörgr
-
hearg
- harug has a complex and disputed
history. Simply put, the earliest meaning appears to be one of rock
face (and
indeed in some Norwegian place-names it must have this meaning) which
later
developed into "cairn, heap of stones" to "stone altar" to
"heathen shrine, sacred spot or site". In OE it only has the meaning
of "heathen shine; idol", whereas a second meaning in ON is
"rock, crag". It is prosaic in ON and OE.
Óðinn/Vóden
- Woden - Wodan/Wôdin the
meaning of the ON stem is disputed, óðr
meant "furious, wild, raging" as well as "mind, feeling"
and both may apply to the character of Óðinn (de Vries). The ON form
may well
be a development of an older name Óðr
(cf. the situation regarding Ullr
and
Ullinn). The OE form must certainly
be attributed to the first of these (OE wôd
"senseless, mad, furious") and the OS form likewise to the
equivalent OS stem (cf. OS wôdian
"rage, storm, rave"). The forms and their variations derive from
Gmic. *Wôðanaz and *Wôðinaz.
Þórr
- Þunor
- Thunar literally
"thunder". An older ON form is Þunnarr
and is a therefore a form rather closer to the West Germanic forms.
A
phrasal idiom
identical in form and content is interesting to note in all three
dialects:
alda
börn
- ielda bearn - eldi
barn "the children of men" (i.e. human beings) - it
would appear that such is a stock idiom of the Old Germanic dialects.
Several
other similar phrases exist in all three of the dialects but this is
closest to
exact conformity.
Next
we find
many exact lexical parallels between ON words and OE words:
jór
- êoh
(where the ON form shows breaking) "steed" are terms known only from
poetry; hilmir - helm
"protector, helm,
prince" the OE word is from the poetic register; baldr
- bealdor
"prince, king, lord" is poetic in both dialects; þengill
- fengel
"prince, king" is poetic in both dialects; firar-fîras
"men" are both found in the plural form from the poetry; arfi
- earfora "inheritor, heir, son" is
prosaic in ON but from
OE poetry; böð - beado
"battle, war" are both
from the poetic register; eggleikr
-
ecgplega "edge-play,
battle" is an example of a quite sophisticated poetic metaphor which is
identical in ON and OE; brynja - byrne "corslet, mailshirt" is
found in both registers; fleinn - flân "spear, dart" is found
in both registers in both OE and ON; ör
- earh "arrow" is prosaic
in ON but from OE poetry; lind - lind "(lindwood) shield" is
poetic in OE but also found in the prose of ON; brim
- brim "surf, sea,
ocean" is prosaic in ON but from OE poetry; eik
- âc "ship of
oak, ship" is prosaic in ON but from OE poetry; ormr
- wyrm (where the
ON form show characteristic proto-Norse loss of initial semi-vowel w before a suceeding vowel) "snake,
serpent, dragon" are prosaic, although both form many compounds found
in
the poetry; snákr - snaca
"snake, serpent" is
prosaic in OE but from ON poetry; freki
- freca "greedy one, wolf"
is not a recorded form when standing alone in OE but is known from
poetic
compounds denoting "warrior", the ON word is poetic; jörmungrund
- eormengrund "the earth" is
prosaic in ON but from OE
poetry; þurs - þyrs
"giant, ogre" are prosaic in both dialects; jötunn
- eoten "giant" is poetic in OE but
well known in ON prose;
mold - molde
"earth, world; soil, land" is prosaic in both
dialects; baugbroti -
bêaga brytta "breaker of rings,
lord" there are a number of this type but this particular example is
perhaps the closest lexically; álfr
- ælf "elf, fairy" is
prosaic in both dialects; púki - pûca/pûcel
"goblin" is prosaic in ON and OE. The OE word is
also found in a number of nature-names in the English landscape, as
well as
being preserved as the rarely-heard English word puck;
dvergr - dweorg
"dwarf" is prosaic in
both dialects (note: of these last three examples I
have no instances
from OS, but I am certain that at least OS equivalents of dweorg and ælf
existed); blót - blôt
"sacrifice" is prosaic in both dialects (cf. OHG bluostar
"sacrifice"; I have
no data on a possible OS equivalent at this time).
A
few ON - OS
lexical parallels which appear to lack OE analogues are worth noting:
vígmaðr
- wîgmann
"warrior" is an exact lexical parallel, the ON word is prosaic and
the same would appear to apply to the OS word; himinn
- himil
"sky, heavens" is prosaic - I am not clear about the relation to OE heofon; þerna - thiorna
"maid servant" - the ON term is prosaic and so I
would imagine is the OS word - OE of course offers related words for
serving-folk but I cannot find an exact equivalent to this word.
Next,
some OE -
OS parallels which are not known from ON can be noted. As OE and OS are
both
closely related Old West Germanic dialects, this is to be expected of
course:
ealdor
- aldor
"lord, prince" is prosaic in OE; gârhete
- gârheti "spear-hate, dire
emnity, battle" is a fascinating parallel and one tends to look for
borrowing in such expressions, although parallel development is equally
feasible. The OE term is poetic; eorðerîce
- erð-rîki
"the earthly kingdom, the world of men" is most
probably a parallel development and is prosaic in OE; rodor
- radur "sky,
the heavens" is mainly found in the OE poetic register; môdsefa
- môdseðo "heart, mind" is poetic
in OE and no doubt in OS;
wældêaþ - wal-dôð "violent
death, murder" is prosaic in OE; werod
- werod means "troop, host;
folk" in both OE and OS and while it is mainly poetic in OE, it appears
to
be more prosaic in OS; gesîðas - gi-siðli
the OE word is poetic and would normally mean "companions" but may
also denote "band of warriors, troop" just the the related OS word.
In OE the stem of the word forms several poetic compounds; hord - hord
is an OE and
OS only term denoting "treasure hoard" and is found in both
registers; wela - welo
meaning "wealth, riches"
is found in the poetry and the prose; flet(t) - flet
denotes in both dialects "hall, house, dwelling" but
has in OE the additional meaning of "floor". It is found in the
poetry and the prose; leger - legar "illness" appears not
to exist in ON. It is related to the verb "to lie" and is prosaic in
OE; cwealm - qualm
"(violent) death, murder" represents an OE-OS
wordpair, although we can find the clearly related kvöl
"torment, torture" and kvelja
"torment, torture" in ON, even though the meaning
has diverged considerably. The word is prosaic in OE and OS; gehweorfan - hwerðian
have hardly diverged at all in meaning. Both are prosaic.
The related ON horfa and hverfa have diverged too far in meaning
to be applicable here; sprecan - sprekan and cwiddian
- queddian
(note relation to cweþan-queðan and ON kveða)
mean "speak, say" and "talk, speak"
respectively. The stem for sprecan
is
non-existent in ON (modern Scandinavian språk/sprog is a Middle Low German loan); nîð - nîð
is found in both registers in OE (related but divergent ON níð means "insult, libel"); heofontungol - heðan-tungal is poetic
in OE and OS; reced - rukud diverge slightly in meaning, with
the OS word also denoting "temple". The word is poetic in OE; ealh - alah
"heathen temple" is poetic in OE and presumably also
in OS. Derived from Germanic *alhs,
it is known from one or two English place-names and some toponymists
believe a
parallel but unrecorded ON word *al
also existed but this is only hypothetical; hyrde
- hirdi meaning
literally "shepherd" but also used in OE and OS prose to denote
"lord, guardian, keeper"; gewîtan
- giwîtan "depart; die" is
found in both registers in OE.
Finally,
a
number of close parallels of idiom exist - relating to form, content
and
meaning. Such highlight the close modes of semantic construction and,
of
course, the similar world-views and material conditions of the ancient
Germanic
peoples. The poetry is especially rich in these parallels of idiom,
since it
often seeks to describe more or less everyday matters or objects by way
metaphoric
imagery. Such imagery would, to a large extent, be common to the
Norseman, the
Anglo-Saxon and Saxon of the continent, and hence we often find
strikingly
similar metaphors and idioms being expressed in the poetic (but also
the prose)
language of all three:
ennitungl
- hêofodes sigel - ON: "moon of the
forehead", OE: "sun of the head" - both mean "eye"; ormból
- wyrmhord - ON: "dragon's couch",
OE: "dragon's
hoard" - both mean "that which a dragon sits upon,
treasure-hoard"; mjóðrann - meduheall both denote "mead-hall,
hall where mead is served"; geirleikr
- æscplega - ON:
"spear-play", OE: "ash-wood spear play" - both denote
"battle"; vápnþruma - wæpenþracu - ON: "the thunder of
weapons", OE: "the clashing of weapons" - both denote
"battle"; gunnblik - hildelêoma
- ON: "the gleam of
battle", OE: "the light of battle" - both denote
"sword" (i.e. that which gleams or flashes in battle); undsveiti
- heaðoswât - ON: "wound-sweat",
OE:
"battle-sweat" - both denote "blood"; vágmarr
- wæghengest -
ON: "mare of the waves", OE: "horse of the waves" - both
denote "ship"; gullbúi - goldweard - ON: "one who dwells
with gold", OE: "one who guards the gold" - both denote
"dragon"; hræsvelgr - wælcêasiga - ON: "chooser of
carrion", OE: "chooser of the slain" - the ON denotes
"eagle" and the OE, "raven"; valkyrja
- wælcyrige -
ON: "choser of the slain", OE: "chooser of the slain" - the
OE term however has come to mean "witch, sorceress", whereas the ON
term of course means "valkyrie"; feorh
âlecgan - ferah farlâtan
- OE:
"lay down, give up one's life", OS: "leave life" - both are
a circumlocutive manner of expressing "to die"; forðweg
- forðgang - OE:
"the way forth, forward", OS: "journeying forth" - both
denote "death" and there several others like these.
In
terms of complexity
of idiom and metaphor, ON poetic constructs in the form of the kenning and heiti,
often far exceed the complexity of those from OE and OS and
many verge on opaqueness. Owing to limits of space, time, resources,
authorial
knowledge and the aims of the article, ON constructions of the type sára þorns sveita svanr "swan of
the sweat of the thorn of wounds" (i.e. raven) cannot be included here,
although some more concise examples of this type are given. Many such
kennings
are found only in the works of one author, in one manuscript only, or
once only
in a manuscript. Despite being extremely interesting, from the point of
view of
comparison and the facilitation of the learning of vocabulary, such
constructions are of very limited use and will not repay the time taken
to
document them. The aim of this article is to include single words or
small
compound words (with the exception of a small number of larger idioms)
taken
from the general poetic (and prosaic) stock of words used by several or
many
authors.
As
a fascinating
aside, we can note that ON muspell
(i.e. Muspellsheimr, "the
destruction of the world") has a direct parallel in Old High German mûspilli. Cognates are not known in
either OE or OS, as far as I know.
To
what extent
has the poetic vocabulary of these Old Germanic dialects survived into
their
modern descendants of English, Icelandic and Low Saxon? Well, any
native
speaker of English will immediately recognise how much we have lost
from the OE
poetic stock of words in particular. This is at least partly because
many of
the poetic terms describe the concerns, ideas and possessions of the
higher
social classes. Following the Norman Conquest, which was largely a
conquest by
noblemen, such native terms describing nobility, kinship, weapons and
warfare,
treasure, retainers and court etc. were replaced by the Norman's own
terms and
hence ceased to exist. However, two other factors also have played
their part.
One is that many of the poetical terms are just that - only found in
the poetry
and hence were probably never known to those outside the noble or
educated
classes. Secondly, poetic vocabulary and devices went through fashions
and what
was fashionable for some time could soon be yesterday's news when some
new
idiom or metre was introduced. Something of the OE poetic idiom did
survive
into the early Middle English alliterative poems of the West Midlands
like
Lagamon's Brut,
but even
there, the style and lyrical feel of the classic West Saxon poetic
imagery never
quite achieved full representation. The everyday language of the common
people
was far more enduring.
In
striking
contrast, the great majority of the root words, if not the compounds
themselves, are still known in modern Icelandic, and if not in active
use, can
nevertheless be found in a decent monolingual dictionary. There are far
too
many direct descendants to be considered here and the interested reader
should
consult the excellent Íslensk Orðabók,
where they can be found in their hundreds, nay thousands. But just to
give a
very small taster of the modern situation, seiðkona
"witch" is modern seiðkona,
oddviti "leader, ruler" is
modern oddviti, risi
"giant" gives modern risi, fólkbardagi "great
battle" gives modern
fólkbardagi, tungl still
means "moon" and so on. Compare the same
terms between OE and modern English, and we only have wicce
"witch" surviving from OE. Of course, many of the
ON compounds would no longer be used by modern Icelanders, but this not
because
(as in the case of OE) they are not understood, but simply that the
conditions
they describe or images they use are not relevant to the modern world.
It
is largely
for this reason of an untainted vocabulary (although a very
conservative
grammatical system as plays a role) that Icelanders can still read
their
ancient literature with little difficulty, while the loss of a great
chunk of
the Old English vocabulary means the modern English speaker has to
learn OE
words just as he or she learns the vocabulary of French or German and
until he or
she does so, the treasure of OE poetry (and to a lesser extent) the
prose, is
denied him or her.
The
situation
regarding Old Saxon and modern Low Saxon is rather different and more
complex.
A Low Saxon speaking contact and friend, and an expert on the language,
took a
look at a small list of OSax. (mainly) poetic terms I provided him.
Even after
looking some up in reference sources, the majority of the OSax. terms
could not
be found even in MLS, let alone modern Low Saxon. A few have surviving
cognates
in modern German but most appear to be long extinct. What follows is a
list of
those which survived into MLG or are still found in modern Low Saxon
(cognate
forms in brackets):
helið
"man, hero" (OE hæleð) MLS hel(i)t, ModLS Held, ModG Held
'hero';
lîk(hamo)
"body" (OE lîchama, ON lík) MLS lîke,
ModLS Liek,
ModG Leiche,
Leichnam
'corpse', ModDutch lichaam 'body';
liudi
"people" (OE lêod, ON ljóð) MLS lût,
lüde, ModLS Lüde, Lüüd',
Lüe,
Löe,
ModG Leute,
ModDutch lui;
quena
"lady" (OE cwên, mod. queen) MLS
quêne, ModLS Queen 'female animal';
rink
"warrior" (OE rinc, ON rekkr) MLS --, ModLS Reck, ModG Reck(e);
thioda
"people, nation" (OE þêod, ON þjóð)
MLS dûdesch,
ModLS düütsch (<
earlier düüd+isch),
ModG deutsch;
thionustman
"servant,
retainer" (ON þjóunstumaðr) MLS dên(e)stman, ModLS Deenstmann,
ModG Dienstmann;
thiorna
"maid servant" (ON þerna) MLS
dêrne, ModLS Deern, Diern
'girl', ModG Dirn(e)
'girl', 'whore';
Some
of these
have changed in meaning since OSax. times (e.g. quena,
thiorna), while
others appear to have died out and been reintroduced from High German
(e.g. Reck).
The
following do
not appear to have any analogues in MLS or modern Low Saxon:
aldor
"king, lord" (OE ealdor) MLS --,
ModLS --, ModG --
barn
"child, son" (OE bearn, ON barn) MLS --, ModLS --, ModG
drohtin,
druhtin
"lord" (OE dryhten, ON dróttinn) MLS --, ModLS --, ModG Truchsess
eldi
"men" (OE ieldas, ON aldir)
MLS --, ModLS --, ModG --
erl
"nobleman" (OE eorl, ON jarl) MLS --, ModLS --, ModG --
firihôs
"men" (OE fîras, ON firar)
MLS --, ModLS --, ModG --
frôho,
frôjo
"lord" (OE frêa, ON freyr)
MLS --, ModLS --, ModG Freiherr
gumo
"man" (OE guma, ON gumi)
MLS --, ModLS --, ModG --
hagastald
"servant" MLS --, ModLS --, ModG --
magu
"son, youth" (OE magu) MLS --,
ModLS --, ModG --
segg
"man" (OE secg, ON seggr)
MLS --, ModLS --, ModG --
skalk
"servant" (OE scealc) MLS --, ModLS
--, MHG schalk,
MDu. skalk
thegan
"man, warrior" (OE þegn) MLS --,
ModLS --, ModG Degen
(poetic)
thiodan
"prince, lord" (OE þêoden, ON þjóðann) MLS --, ModLS --, ModG --
thiu
"maid" (OE þêowa) MLS --, ModLS --,
ModG --
thiwa
"female servant" (OE þêowa) MLS --,
ModLS --, ModG --
waldand
"ruler, lord" (OE wealdand, ON valdandi) MLS --, ModLS --, ModG --
ward
"protector" (OE weard, ON vörðr) MLS --, ModLS --, ModG Wärter
'guard'
wer
"adult male" (OE wer) MLS --, ModLS
--, ModG --
wîso
"leader, lord" (OE wîsa, ON vísir) MLS --, ModLS --, ModG --
Explanation
of terms
generally follows this pattern: word
"literal translation, figural
meaning".
So
in the OE
idiom eorla hlêo
the literal translation
"defender of earls" is given first, followed by the figural meaning
"king"; in the ON compound bryngagl,
the literal translation "corslet-goose"
is given first, followed by the figural meaning "arrow".
Where
it has not
been possible to translate literally the meaning of a word or compound
(as in
the case of many of the Óðinsheiti
-
names for Odin) or the etymology is obscure, the implied or figural
meaning
only is given.
1) Human
Being, Human Body and Society
a)
King
ON:
dróttinn "chief,
king", hildingr
"king, chief, prince, hero", konungr
"king", kóngr
"king", ljóþi
"leader of
the people, king", þjóðann
"leader of
the nation, king", fylkir "king,
chief", stjóri
"ruler, king", valdr
"wielder, king, chief", vísir
and vísi "leader,
king", fólkvörðr
"guardian of the
people, king", gumna stjóri
"ruler of
men, king", herkonungr
"war-king", bauga deilir
"distributor of rings, king", gullmiðlandi
"distributor of gold, king", sverða
deilir
"distributor of swords, king, lord" (also "warrior"), þjóðkongungr "nation's
king", gullvörpuðr
"distributor of gold, king", dróttnari
"ruler, king", hringbroti
"river-giver, king" (lit.
"breaker of rings"), fólkrekr
"chief, ruler", gramr
"wroth
one, king, lord", sjóli
"chief,
king", skyli
"prince, king", yngvi
"king, chief", valdandi
"ruler, king", baugbroti
"distributor of rings, king"
(lit."breaker of rings"), fólkstjóri
"commander in battle, king", skjöldungr
"king, earl", skilfingr
"chief,
prince, king", sækonungr
"sea-king", þjóðkonungr
"king of
the nation", konungmaðr
"royal man,
king", deilir aldar
"ruler of men,
king, prince".
OE:
cyning "king", cyng "king", hêah-cyning "high-king", þêodcyning "king of the
nation", folccyning
"king of the people", bregoweard
"protector of princes, king", frêa
"king, lord", healdend
"ruler, king", wealdend
"wielder, king", rîca
"ruler,
king", rîcsere
"ruler, king", hyrde
"shepherd, king, guardian", hlêo
"defender, king", helm
"protector, king", eodor
"king, prince", landfruma
"foremost of the nation, king", lêodfruma
"foremost of the people, king", folces
weard "guardian of the people,
king", rîces weard
"guardian of the
realm, king", ierfeweard
"guardian of
heritage, king", dryhtenweard
"guardian of earls, king", gumena
weard
"defender of men, king", eorla
hlêo
"defender of earls, king", folces
hierde
"shepherd of the people, king", goldgifa
"gold-giver, king", goldes
brytta
"distributor of gold, king", hordweard
"guardian of the (gold) hoard, king", bêaga
brytta "distributor of rings, king", sinca
bealdor "guardian of treasure, king", bealdor
"prince, king", lêodcyning
"king
of the people", gumfrêa
"lord of men,
king", gûðweard
"battle-ward,
king".
OS:
aldor "king,
lord", kuning
"king", landes
hirdi "shepherd of the nation, king", bôggeðo
"ring-giver, king", bôgwini
"ring-friend, king", fólkkuning
"folk-king", thiod-kuning "folk-king, king of
the nation", medgêðo
"treasure-giver, king", aðal-kuning
"noble king", thiodan
"king,
prince, lord", landwîsa
"lord,
king", druhting
"lord, leader".
b) Prince
ON:
ræsir "chief,
prince", þengill "prince",
fylkir
"prince", hilmir
"helm,
prince", jaðarr
"prince, lord", jöfurr
"prince, lord", þjóðar þengill
"prince of the nation", konungbarn
"king's son, prince", konungssonr
"king's son, prince", skyli
"prince, king", fólks-jaðarr
"prince of the people", skilfingr
"chief, prince, king", hildingr
"king, chief, , prince, hero", deilir
dróttar "ruler of the war-band, prince, chief", deilir aldar "ruler of
men, king, prince", konungsefni
"kingly material, prince", aldar
þundr "Odin of men, prince, chief".
OE:
æðeling "noble
one, prince", bealdor
"prince, lord", þêoden "prince,
lord", ræswa
"prince, king", brego
"prince, lord", fengel
"prince", frêareccere
"prince", þêodfruma
"foremost
among the nation, prince, lord", eodor
"prince, king".
OS:
thiodan "prince,
king, lord", mêðomgiðo
"treasure-giver, prince", medgêðo
"treasure-giver, prince".
c) Lord, Earl, Chief, General/Commander
ON:
dróttinn "chief,
king", vísir "one
who guides, leader", jaðarr
" prince, lord ", jöfurr
" prince, lord ", herbaldr
"war-leader", baugbroti
"ring-giver, lord", hringdrifi
"giver of rings, lord", fólkrekr
"chief, lord", valdsherra
"lord, ruler", hringbroti
"ring-giver, lord", gullvörpuðr
"gold-giver, lord", höfðingi
"lord, chief", jarl
"earl", gramr
"wroth one, king, lord" sjóli
"chief, king", yngvi
"king,
chief", heiðfrömuðr
"promoter of
wealth, lord", fólkvörðr
"folk-ward,
lord", hershöfðingi
"commander of the
army", liðbaldr
"lord of the army,
chief", hersir
"chief, king", herstefnandi
and herstefnir
"chief, commander of the host", auðskati
"governor of the wealth, lord", skjöldungr
"earl, lord, king", oddviti
"leader, chief", stefnir
"ruler", fólkvaldi
"ruler of the
army, leader", rögnir
"ruler", skilfingr
"chief, prince, king", deilir
dróttar "ruler of the war-band, prince,
chief", valdr and
valdi "wielder, king, chief", aldar
þundr "Odin of men, prince, chief", lávarðr
"loaf-ward, lord" (a prose loan from OE hlâford),
freyr "lord", herra "lord, master" (a
loan from Middle
Low German).
OE:
dryhten "lord", þêoden "lord, prince", eodor "lord, prince", eorl "earl, nobleman", werodes ealdor "lord of
the host", rinca bealdor
"ruler of the army", wigena
bealdor "ruler of the army", herewîsa
"leader in battle, chief", wigena
hlêo "defender of warriors, lord", goldwine "gold-friend,
lord", bêahgifa
"ring-giver, lord", sincgifa
"treasure-giver, lord", hlâford
"loaf-ward" (i.e. lord), frêa
"lord, king", folcfrêa
"lord of the people", bealdor
"lord", ealdor
"lord,
prince", hearra
"lord", mondryhten
"lord of men", hlâfording
"lord", frêadryhten
"lord", frêawine
"lord-friend", hlêodryhten
"lord", êþelweard
"guardian of
the homeland, lord, ruler", landfruma
"land-leader, lord", hildefruma
"leader in battle, chief", folctoga
"leader of the host, chief, lord", hereræswa
"battle-lord", wîgfruma
"leader
in battle, chief", landhlâford
"lord
of the land", wîsa
"leader", heretoga
"chief, general", hringafengel
"ring-lord", goldwine
gumena
"gold-friend of men, lord", goldgiefa
"gold-giver, lord", hildewîsa
"leader of the host, chief", campealdor
"lord of the battle, chief", ræswa
"prince, lord", frumgâr
"commander, lord", gûðcyning
"war-king, chief", ealdorwîsa
"lord, ruler", fruma
"one who is
foremost, superlative", winedryht
"lord-friend, protector", bêaga
brytta
"breaker of rings, lord" (i.e. distributor), mægenwîsa
"main-leader" (i.e. lord of the host), fierdwîsa
"levy-lord, commander", lêodfruma
"folk-leader, ruler", sigedryhten
"victorious lord", mâðmgifa
"giver of treasure, lord", selerædend
"hall-ruler, lord", gumdryhten
"lord to men, lord", gûðfrêa
"war-lord, chief, commander", êadfruma
"author of prosperity, lord", êadgifa
"giver of wealth, lord".
OS:
aldor "lord,
king", burgesward
"guardian of the borough, nobleman,
lord", mêdgeðo
"treasure-giver,
lord", mêðomgiðo
"treasure-giver,
lord", thiodan
"lord, king,
prince", bôgwini
"ring-friend,
lord", heritogo
"leader in battle,
lord", mandrohtin
"lord", hêrro
"lord", frôho,
frôjo "lord", drohtin, druhtin "lord",
erl "nobleman", wîso "leader, lord", waldand "ruler, lord", ward "protector, lord", folk-togo
"leader of the host, lord", thiod-gumo "nobleman, earl", waldo "ruler", hirdi
"lord".
d) Queen
ON:
dís "goddess,
queen", dróttning
"queen, princess".
OE:
cwên "queen", hlæfdige "lady, queen", frioðuwebbe
"weaver of peace, queen".
OS:
quena "lady,
queen; wife".
e) Man, Mankind, People, Nation
ON:
aldir "men", firar
"men", fólk
"people", gumi
"man, adult male", lið
"folk, troop, people", mengi
"crowd", alda
börn "the children of men, human beings", megir Heimdallar "the
offspring of Heimdallr,
human beings", herrafólk
"manfolk", þjóð
"nation", ljóð
"people", ljóðmegir
"men", dróttmegir
"people,
men", fjörvar
"men".
OE:
fîras "men", menn
"men", weras
"menfolk", reordberend
"bearer
of speech, human being", feorhberend
"bearer of life, human being", woroldwûniend
"earthly dweller, human", eardbûend
"dweller on the earth, human being", foldbûend
"dweller on the earth, human being", gumena
bearn "the children of men, humans", ielda
bearn "the children of men, humans", wera
bearn "the children of men, humans", manncynn
"mankind", menniscnes
"mankind,
humanity", þêod
"nation", lêod
"people", folc
"folk, people", eormencynn
"earth-kin, mankind", eorðbûend
"earth-dweller, human being", sâwolberende
"soul-bearer, human being", folcweras
"men, people", gumrinc
"man", gumþegn
"man", gâstberende
"soul-bearer, human being", wæpnedman
"man, adult male", guma
"man, warrior".
OS:
eldi "men", firihôs
"men", folk
"people", mannisk
"human being", wer
"adult male", eldi
barn "the children of men, humans", manno
barn "the children of men, humans", gumono
barn "the children of men, humans", gumonokunni
"mankind, humankind", mannokunni
"mankind, humankind", eldêo
barn
"the children of men, humans", menniskôno
barn "the children of men, humans", firihô
barn "the children of men, humans", liudi
"people", thioda
"people,
nation", gumo
"man, warrior", liud-folk
"people, subjects", liudi
barn "the children
of men, humans", erð-bûandi
"dweller on earth, human being, man", thiod
"folk, people, nation", folkskepi
"people", werod
"folk, people,
troop, host", heri
"people,
folk", heriskepi
"people, folk",
rîki "realm,
people".
f)
Man, Hero,
Warrior - (note the remark made by Portengen:
"De beteekenissen van man, krijgsman en
dapper man loopen dikwijls in elkaar en kunnen niet streng geschieden
worden."
(p.14)).
ON:
drengr "brave
young man", halr "man",
kappi "hero",
rekkr "man,
warrior", karl
"man", karlmaðr
"man", seggr "man",
gautr, gauti
"man" (poetical), jöfurr
"boar,
warrior", baldriði
"brave
horseman", berserkr "bear-sark,
fearless warrior", gunnhvati
"brave
in war", geirnjörðr
"skillful with
the spear", hermaðr
"warrior", hermögr
"battle-youth, warrior", börr
skjaldar
"shield-tree, warrior", hildimeiðr "battle-tree,
warrior", dólgviðr "battle-tree,
warrior", vápna hlynr "weapon-tree,
warrior", hróttameiðr "sword-tree,
warrior", járnskjöldr "iron-shield,
warrior", sverðberari
"sword-wielder,
warrior", fetrjóðr Hugins
"reddener
of the claws of Huginn, warrior" (Huginn
(literally "thought") was a raven of Odin), gunnvala
bræðir "feeder of battle-hawks, warrior", munnrjóðr Hugins "reddener
of the bill of
Huginn, warrior", úlfs
tannlituður
"one who reddens the tooth of the wolf, warrior", hrafngrennir
"raven-feeder, warrior", kappsmaðr
"warrior-hero", geirmimir
"spear-Mimir, warrior", geirnjörðr
"spear-Njörðr, warrior", orrostamaðr
"warrior", stríðsmaðr
"warrior", vígamaðr
"warrior", hjördrífr
"sword-driver, warrior", herbaldr
"warrior", dólgrögnir
"ruler of the strife, warrior", hjálmstafr
"helm-stave" (i.e. one who is
capped by a helmet, a warrior), skjöldsveinn
"shield-bearer, warrior", liðsmaðr
"member of the troop, warrior, man", liði
"member of the troop, warrior, man", vallrjóðandi
"reddener of the ground, warrior", valtívi
"slaughter-god, warrior", hjördrótt
"noble sword-bearer, warrior", vígálfr
"war-elf, warrior", vígfreyr
"lord of battle, warrior", vígfrömuðr
"advocate of war, warrior", víghlynr
"(maple)tree of battle, warrior", víglundr
"battle-tree, warrior", vígmiðlungr
"dealer in war, warrior", vígnjörðr
"battle-Njörðr, warrior", fólkhagi
"one skilful in battle, warrior", herglötuðr
"destroyer in war, warrior", hildingr
"warrior", dólgs runnr
"bush of
the battle, warrior", gunn-nárungr "war-man,
warrior", gunn-stærandi
"advocate of battle, warrior", böðnjörðr
"battle-Njörðr, warrior", böðstyrkir
"help in battle, warrior", egglitaðr
"dyer of edges (i.e. with blood), warrior", sverðrjóðr
"reddener of swords, warrior", sverðrögnir
"wielder of swords, warrior", sverðfreyr
"lord of swords, warrior", geirkundr
"son of the spear, warrior", brynjumeiðr
"armoured-tree, warrior", brynjálfr
"armoured elf, warrior", hjálmdrótt
"noble helmet bearer, warrior", hjálmnjótr
"user of a helmet, warrior", hjálmrækjandi
"helmetted doer or agent, warrior", hjálmþollr
"helmet-tree, warrior", skjalda
álmr "man of
shields, warrior", skjaldhlynr
"shield-(maple)tree, warrior", spjóta
hlynr "(maple)tree of spears, man,
warrior", spjóta njótr
"user of spears,
man, warrior", spjóta sveigir "bender
of spears, man, warrior", úlfgrennir
"one who feeds the wolf, man, warrior", hrafnfæðir
"feeder of the raven, warrior", sigrviðr
"victory-tree, warrior", sigfreyr
"victory-lord, warrior", signjörðr
"victory-Njörðr, man, warrior", sigreynir
"victory-(rowan)tree, man, warrior", sigrunnr
"victory-bush, man, warrior", valsæfandi
"offerer of slaughter, warrior", hringberandi
"ring-bearer, man", hringdrifi
"one who wields a sword, man", hringþollr
"sword-tree, man", álmr
"man", skati
"man", sverðabaldr
"lord of swords, warrior, man",
sverðálfr
"sword-elf, man, warrior", sverðgautr
"sword-god, warrior, man", brodda
rjóðr "reddener of points, warrior".
OE:
cempa "warrior", ôretta "warrior", ôretmecg
"battle-man, warrior", wîga
"warrior",
hererinc "battle-warrior",
hildemecg "battle-man,
warrior", hilderinc "battle-warrior",
gûðbeorn "war-hero,
man", gûðfreca "wolf
of war, warrior", gûðrinc "battle-warrior",
gûðwiga
"battle-warrior", hæleð
"hero", lindhæbbende
"shield-bearer, warrior", randhæbbende
"shield-bearer, warrior", bordhæbbende
"shield-bearer, warrior", searohæbbende
"one who wears armour, warrior", helmberende
"helmeted one, warrior", æscberende
"ash-spear-bearer, warrior", scildfreca
"shield-wolf, warrior", sweordfreca
"sword-wolf, warrior", wîgfreca
"wolf of war, warrior", gûðfreca
"wolf of war, warrior", hildfreca
"wolf of war, warrior", hildewulf
"wolf of war, warrior", herewulf
"wolf of war, warrior", heorowulf
"wolf of war, warrior", scêotend
"one who shoots, shooter of arrows or darts, archer", wæpen and gewæde beran
"bear arms and
armour", hyrsta beran
"bear
war-gear", hringnet beran
"wear a
corslet", scieldas beran
"carry
shields", gârberende
"spear-bearer,
warrior", rinc
"warrior", wîgend
"warrior", byrnwîga
"armoured warrior", scyldwîga
"shield-warrior", heaþorinc
"battle-warrior", heremæcg
"war-hero, man", secg
"man,
warrior", dreng
"young man,
warrior" (a loan from Old Danish), beorn
"man, hero", freca
"warrior,
hero" (lit. "wolf"), heremann
"warrior", beadurinc
"battle-warrior", fierdmann
"member of the levy", fierdrinc
"levy-warrior", folcwîga
"warrior of the nation", wîgbora
"war-bearer", wîgsmiþ
"war-smith", byrnwîgend
"armoured warrior", hildstapa
"battle-stepper, warrior", beornwîga
"man-warrior", lindwîga
"lind-wood shield warrior", lindwîgend
"lind-wood shield warrior", randwîga
"shield-warrior", randwîgend
"shield-warrior", gârwîga
"spear-warrior", gârwîgend
"spear-warrior", æscbora
"ash-spear bearer, warrior", æscwîga
"ash-spear warrior", þrymma
"warrior", wæpnedmann
"armed
man, male", herewæþa
"warrior", herewôsa
"warrior", sigecempa
"victorious warrior", wîgfruma
"warrior", wælwulf
"slaughter-wolf, warrior", heoruwearh
"sword-wolf, warrior", hildeþrymma
"warrior", wæpenwîga
"beweaponed
warrior", gûðfruma
"warrior", gûðmaga
"warrior", sweordberende
"sword-bearer, warrior", sweordwîgend
"sword-warrior", dryhtguma
"retainer; warrior", gûðmæcga
"warrior".
OS:
segg "man", heri-rink "warrior", helmberand
"helmet-bearer, warrior", helm-gitrôsteo "one equipped
with a helmet,
warrior", hildiskalk
"warrior", wâpan-berand
"weapon-bearer, warrior", swerdthegan
"swordsman", gumo
"man", thegan
"man, warrior", rink
"warrior", wîgman
"war-man, warrior", wîgand
"fighter, warrior", helið
"man,
hero", gi-trosteo
"warrior, Gefolgsmann", swerddrago
"sword-bearer, warrior".
g)
Army,
Troop, Comitatus/Gefolgsmenn
ON:
drótt "(royal)
body-guard", vígdrótt
"war-troop", víglið
"war-troop", fólkdrótt
"battle-troop", liðsmen
"followers, warriors", liðsafli
"troops, forces", liðskostr
"force", liðsfjöldi
"great
host", herr
"army, troops", herferð
"host", herflokkr
"war-flock", herfólk
"war-host", herlið
"war-band", hermegir
"war-men,
warriors", hernaðar-fólk "forayers", hernaðar-menn "forayers", hjálmdrótt
"helmeted troop", dróttmegir
"men", fólk
"host, army", skírviðir
"shield-trees, host of warriors",
geir-Niflungar
"spear-Nifelungs, warriors, troop", vígdrótt
"war-host, warriors".
OE:
here "army,
foraying force", fierd
"levies, army", folc
"army, troop", getruma
"troop", campwerod
"battle-host, army", gûðhere
"war-troop", landfierd
"national
army, levies", fierdwerod
"levy-host", herefolc
"army", heremægen
"army,
troop", beaduþrêat
"battle-host,
army", þêodhere
"folk-army", folcmægen
"folk-main" (i.e. armed force), þrêat
"troop", wîghêap
"war-heap, throng of warriors", flocc
"troop" (lit. "flock"), werod
"host, troop", gedryht
"troop of
proven warriors", lêodmægen
"folk-main" (i.e. armed force), gesîðræden
"comitatus-band, troop of followers", gesîðmægen
"comitatus-main" (i.e. troop of armed comrades), gârgetruma "spear-troop", eorlmægen "earl-main,
troop of noble
warriors", eorlwerod
"earl-troop", dryht
"host of
proven warriors, comitatus, troop of retainers", þegnas
"thanes, comitatus", werod
"comitatus", fletwerod
"hall-troop",
aþelingas "(troop
of) noblemen", heorðgenêatas
"hearth-companions,
comitatus", healsittende
"hall-sitters, comitatus", þêod
"folk, men (of the nation)", lêode
"folk, people, men", þegnscolu
"troop of retainers", herefolc
"war-band, troops", hereþrêat
"war-host", heorðwerod
"hearth-troop", þegnwerod
"troop
of retainers", fierdgetrum
"war-band", æðelduguð
"noble
troop, retinue", lêodweras
"nation's
men, men on active service", lindwerod
"shield-troop", æschere
"ship-army", wælhere
"murderous
army", dryhtfolc
"troop of chosen
men", dryhtweras
"troop of chosen
men", folcgesîðas
"companions,
members of the royal troop", folcgetrum
"folk-troop", gûðþrêat
"war-throng", îsenþrêat
"armed
troop", îsenhere
"armed host".
OS:
heri "army,
troop", heriskepi
"host, troop", folk
"host, troop, men", gi-trost
"comitatus, Gefolgsmenn", megin-folk "main-folk, army,
host", werod
"proven troop of warriors", druht-folk
"host, throng", heru-thrum "sword-troop, army
of warriors", megin
"throng, host", megin-kraft "throng,
host", gi-siðli
"host, troop, entourage".
h)
Woman,
Girl
ON:
dís "goddess,
maid; princess", fljóð "woman",
feima "girl",
kona "woman,
wife", kván "wife",
mær "girl,
maiden", víf "wife,
woman", genta
"girl", menskögul "valkyrie,
woman", hörgefn
"goddess of the
flesh", hringskögul
"sword-valkyrie,
woman", víngefn
"goddess of wine,
woman", gulls eik
"gold or jewellery
of the oak, woman", mjöð-nanna "mead-woman, woman",
hringa sól "sun of
rings, woman", gulls sól
"sun of gold, woman", stúlka
"girl, lass", vörð
"woman", púsa
"woman, wife", freyja
"lady".
OE:
cwên "queen,
woman", mæg
"woman, kinswoman", wîf
"woman, wife", wîfmann
"woman, wife", mâge
"kinswoman", mæden
"maid,
girl", mægþ
"maiden, young
woman", mægdencild
"girl".
OS:
quena "lady,
woman", wîf
"wife, woman", magað
"girl, maiden; woman", qûan
"wife".
i)
Son,
Inheritor
ON:
arfi "inheritor", arfþegi "inheritor", erfingi "inheritor", erfivörðr "guardian of
inheritance, son", barn
"child", niðr "son,
relative", sonr
"son", hefnir
"avenger, son", hefnandi
"avenger, son", askr ættar
"tree of the kin, son,
descendant", áttniðjungr
"descendant", arfnyti
"user of
inheritance, son, inheritor", arftakari
"taker of inheritance, son", arfvörðr
"guardian of inheritance, son", arftökumaðr
"taker of an inheritance, inheritor", mögr
"son".
OE:
bearn "child", eafora "inheritor", magu "son", sunu
"son", ierfenuma
"inheritance-taker, heir", ierfeweard
"guardian of the inheritance, heir".
OS:
sunu "son", magu
"son, youth", barn
"child,
son", erðiward
"guardian of
inheritance, son".
j)
Servant,
Steward, Retainer, Retainers
ON:
hjón "servant",
sveinar "servant",
bekkrekkr "retainer,
steward", þjónn
"thrall, servant", þjónanarmaðr
"servant", salkona
"female servant, slave", þjónustumaðr
"servant", þjónustukona
"female servant", þjónustumær
"serving wench", þjónustusveinn
"boy servant", þerna
"maid servant", dróttsetti
"high-steward", saldrótt
"hall-folk, retainers", salþjóð
"hall-people, retainers", heimmaðr
"home-man, servant", fylgð
"retainers, servants, retinue", fylgðarmaðr
"retainer", hirðmaðr
"member of the household,
retainer", hirðmær
"maidservant", hirðfólk
"retainers", hirð
"servants,
household staff", þý
"bondwoman,
female slave", ambátt
"serving wench,
female retainer".
OE:
ðêow "servant,
slave", selesceg
"hall-man, retainer", scealc
"servant", þegn
"retainer", þegnhyse
"retainer", ðêowling
"slave", þêowa
"servant,
slave", þêowen
"female slave", þegnungmann
"servant, retainer", geongra
"servant", healþegn
"hall-retainer", selesecg
"hall-steward", seleþegn
"chamberlain",
magoþegn "young
retainer", þêowling
"slave", þegnyse
"attendant", þegnscipe
"retainers", heorðgenêatas
"hearth-companions, retainers", heorðcniht
"hearth-knight, retainer", heorðcnihtas
"retainers", seleweard
"hall-ward, steward", dryhtguma
"retainer;
warrior", hagosteald
"servant, youth,
warrior", wealh
"slave, serf,
Welshman", cnapa
"servant", ambeht
"servant", ambehtmecg
"servant, retainer", ambehtscealc
"servant, retainer", ambehtþegn
"servant, retainer", cniht
"retainer, servant", hîred
"body
of retainers, retinue, household".
OS:
thiorna "maid
servant", thiu
"maid", thiwa
"female servant", hagastald
"servant", skalk
"servant",
thionostman
"servant, retainer", druhting
"retainer, follower", ambahtman
"servant".
k)
Poet,
Singer
ON:
skáld "poet,
court-poet", skáldmaðr
"poet", skáldkona
"poetess", skáldfífl
"poetaster", skáldmær
"poetess", óðflýtir
"deliverer
of songs, poet", óðmæringr
"court-poet".
OE:
sangere "singer", scop "poet", glêoman
"glee-man, poet, minstel", hleahtorsmið
"laughter-smith, poet", wôðbora
"song-bearer, poet, minstrel", sangestre
"singer", lêoþwyrhta
"song-smith, poet".
l)
Body
ON:
lík "body;
corpse", líkamr
"body", kroppr
"body".
OE:
lîc "body", lîchama
(cf. Dutch lichaam), bâncofa "bone-chamber,
body", bânfæt
"bone-vessel, body", bânhûs
"bone-house, body", bânloca
"bone-fortress, body", gæstes
hûs
"housing of the spirit, body", sâwolhûs
"housing of the soul, body", feorhbold
"life-house, body", feorhhûs
"life-house, body", lîcfæt
"bodily vessel", sâwolhord
"soul-hoard,
body", bânsele
"bone-hall,
body", feorhbold
"life-dwelling,
body".
OS:
lík "body,
corpse", lîkhamo
"body".
m)
Breast,
Chest, Heart
ON:
brjóst "breast", hugborg "stronghold of the
heart, chest", óðborg
"stronghold of the feeling, chest", hugtún
"homestead of the heart, chest", munvangr
"plain of the spirit, chest", hyggjustaðr
"dwelling of the thoughts,
mind", minnisknörr
"ship of the
memory, chest", minnisvé
"house of
the memory, chest", viljabyrgi
"enclosure of the will, chest", hjarta
"heart", móðakarn
"mood-acorn,
heart", fjörsegi
"life-muscle,
heart", hugsteinn
"stone of
consciousness, heart", hús
hugar "house of
the spirit, heart", jörð
hugar
"realm of the spirit, heart", geðsteinn
"stone of the reason, heart", hnot
brjósts "nut of
the breast, heart", epli
hugar
"apple of the spirit, heart", hugarskip
"ship of the spirit, heart", hugströnd
"shore of the heart, chest", hugar
korn
"corn of the spirit, heart", móðfjall
"mood-hill, breast", geðknör
"ship of the reason, breast", geðvangr
"plain of the reason, breast", lífs
höll
"the hall of life, breast", fjörbraut
"life-road, breast", fjörrann
"the hall of life, breast".
OE:
brêost "breast", hreðer "heart", gewitloca
"locker of the mind, heart", ferhðloca
"spirit-enclosure, chest", rûncofa
"coffer of secrets, heart, mind", feorhhord
"treasury of life, soul", heorte
"heart", môd
"heart", sefa
"heart, mind", môdgeþonc
"heart, mind", môdsefa
"heart", feorhloca
"life-locker,
breast", gâstcofa
"coffer of the
spirit, breast", brêostcofa
"coffer
of the breast, heart", brêosthord
"treasury of the breast, heart".
OS:
briost "breast,
chest", briosthugi
"heart, mind", herta
"heart", seðo
"heart, mind", môd
"heart,
mind", môdgithâht
"thought,
heart", môdseðo
"heart, mind".
n)
Arm
ON:
armr "arm", öln "forearm",
ermvangr "the
sleeve's plain,
forearm", viðr axla
"tree of the shoulders, arm", baugvangr
"plain of armlets, forearm", handleggr
"leg of the hand, arm", hönd
"arm and hand".
OE:
earm "arm".
OS:
arm "arm".
o)
Head
ON:
höfuð "head", herða klettr "rock of the
shoulders, head", hjálmstofn
"helmet-stem, head", borg
heila "stronghold
of the brain, skull", land
hárs "land
of the hair, head", brávöllr
"plain
of the brow, forehead", hjálmsetr
"the helmet's residence, head".
OE:
hafela "head", heafod "head".
OS:
hôðid "head".
p)
Ear(s),
Mouth, Teeth, Tounge
ON:
eyru "ears", hlertjöld
"tents of listening, ears", hlust
"ear", heyrnar skjöldr
"shield
of hearing, ear", munnr
"mouth",
hús tungu
"house of the tongue, mouth", skip
orða "ship of
words, mouth", orðhof
"temple of words, mouth", röddklief
"cliff of the voice, mouth", bragartún
"homestead of poetry, mouth", tönn
"tooth", sker
munns "skerries of
the mouth, teeth",
grjót munns
"stones of the mouth, teeth", tunga
"tounge", málþorn
"thorn of
speech, tongue", óðar
ár "river of
poems, tongue".
OE:
êaran "ears"; mûð "mouth", têð
"teeth", tunge
"tongue".
OS:
mûð "mouth", tunga
"tongue", ôra
"ear".
q)
Beard
ON:
skegg "beard", kinnskógr "forest of the
cheeks, beard".
OE:
beard "beard".
r)
Eye, Eyes
ON:
auga "eye", ennimáni
"moon of the forehead, eye", ennitungl
"luminary of the forehead, eye", brámáni
"moon of the brow, eye", brátungl
"moon of the brow, eye", ljós
brá "light of the
brow, eye", hvarma skjöldr
"shield of the eyelids,
eye",
OE:
êage "eye", hêafodgim
"gem of the head, eye", hêofodes
sigel "sun of the
head, eye", heafodsîen
"head-vision, eye".
OS:
ôga "eye".
s)
Tears
ON:
tár "tear", harmdögg
"dew of sorrow", brádögg
"dew of
the brow", kinna él
"rain of the cheeks", augna
él "rain of the
eyes", bráregn
"rain of the brow", dropar
augna
"drops of the eyes".
OE:
têar "tear", hlêordropa
"drop of the cheeks, tear", wægdropa
"wave-drop, tear", wôpdropa
"lamentation-drop, tear", wôpeshring
"ring of weeping, tear".
a)
Fire
ON:
eldr "fire",
funi "flame",
fúrr "fire",
logi "flame", freki "the greedy one,
fire", hripuðr
"the quick, fire", forbrennir
"burner", herr alls viðar
"lord
of all wood, fire", lindar bani
"lind-wood's bane, fire", sviga
lævi
"destroyer of boughs, fire", aldrnari
"preserver of life, fire", fasti
"fire", hyrr
"fire", geiri
"fire", foldar
vargr "wolf of the earth, fire", ægis
bróðir "brother of Ægir, fire".
OE:
bæl "fire, pyre", brond
"fire", bryne
"fire", fýr
"fire, flame", lîg
"flame", lîgbryne
"fire", lîgfýr
"fire, flame", æled
"fire".
OS:
fiur "fire", lôgna
"flame", êld
"fire".
b)
Riches,
Gold, Treasure, Silver
ON:
auðr "riches", auðigleikar "riches,
treasures", auglegð
"riches, wealth", eyrir
"coinage", eign
"property", fé
"money,
property", gull
"gold", gullauðr
"riches in gold", hnoss
"valuable", hodd
"treasure", meiðmar
"treasure", aurglasir
"sheen of
water, gold treasure", lindar
logi
"spring of flame, gold treasure", Rínar
málmr "metal of the Rhine, gold", ormbeðr
"dragon's bed, gold-hoard", eldr
ormbeðs
"fiery bed of the dragon, gold-hoard", linnvengi
"serpent's plain, gold", haddr
Sifjar
"Sif's hair, silver", Fáfnis
dýna
"Fáfnir's bed, silver", silfr
"silver", fönn arms
"snow of the
arm, silver bracelet", auð-æfi "riches", liðfasti
"fire of the hall-thanes, gold", liðbál
"fire of the hall-thanes, gold", liðbrandr
"firebrand of the hall-thanes, gold", ormbekkr
"bench of the dragon, gold-hoard", ormból
"couch of the dragon, gold-hoard", ormland
"land of the dragon, gold-hoard", ormreitr
"domain of the dragon, gold-hoard", ormsetr
"residence of the dragon, gold-hoard", ormtorg
"square of the dragon, gold-hoard", ormvangr
"the dragon's plain, gold-hoard", ægis
sól
"the sun of Ægir, gold", ægis
bál
"the fire of Ægir, gold", ægis
máni
"the moon of Ægir, gold", jötna-mál "inlaid ornaments of
the giants, gold",
jötna-rómr
"voice of the giants, gold", jötna-söngr "lay of the giants,
gold", hafljómi
"gleam of the ocean, gold", haflogi
"flame of the ocean, gold", hafröðull
"radiance of the ocean, gold", ríkdómr
"riches", freyju
tör "tears of Freya, gold".
OE:
gestrêon
"treasure", goldhord
"gold-hoard", mâðm
"treasure", frætwa
"costly things", mâðmæht
"precious thing, treasure", mâðmhord
"treasure-hoard", mâðmgestrêon
"treasure", mâðmwela
"treasure,
riches", sinc
"treasure", sincmâðm
"treasure", sincgestrêon
"treasure", goldmâðm
"gold-hoard", firngestrêon
"ancient treasure", wyrmhord
"treasure guarded by a dragon", eorlgestrêon
"noble treasure", dryhtgestrêon
"noble treasure", dryhtmâðm
"noble treasure", folcgestrêon
"public treasure", bêaghord
"ring-hoard, treasure", goldæht
"wealth in gold, riches", goldfrætwe
"gold ornaments", gold
"gold", hordmâðm
"treasure hoard", hordgestrêon
"hoard of treasure", êad
"wealth", êadwela
"riches, wealth",
æhtgestrêon
"riches, treasure", æhtwela
"wealth", wela
"wealth, riches, prosperity", hord
"treasure-hoard".
OS:
sink "treasure", mêðom "treasure", mêðomhord
"treasure hoard", fratah
"treasure, valuable things", goldwelo
"wealth in gold", siluðar
"silver",
fehu-skatt
"gold, treasure", siluðarskat
"silver coin", gold
"gold",
hord "hoard,
treasure", welo
"wealth, riches".
c)
House,
Hall
ON:
bú "farm,
homestead", hús
"house", salr
"hall", höll
"hall", rann
"large house, hall", mjöðrann
"mead-hall".
OE:
flôr "hall,
court", heall
"hall", reced
"hall", sele
"hall", ærn
"hall, large house", heallærn
"hall", heallreced
"hall", hâm
"home", hûs
"house", meduærn
"mead-hall", meduheall
"mead-hall", bêorsele
"beer-hall", mâðmsele
"treasure-hall", healreced
"splendid
hall, palace", wînærn
"wine-hall", dryhtsele
"noble
hall", hringsele
"ring-hall, hall
where rings are distributed", bêagsele
"ring-hall, hall where rings are distributed", goldsele "gold-hall", gûðsele "war-hall, hall of
warriors", hordærn
"treasure-hall", flet
"hall, house, dwelling", hof
"dwelling, house, farm", eardwîc
"dwelling".
OS:
halla "hall", rukud "dwelling, hall;
temple", seli
"hall", hêm
"home, house", hûs
"house", tresur-hûs "treasure hall,
treasury", seliða
"dwelling, house", seli-hûs "dwelling,
house annexed to a hall", flett
"house, room", hof
"farm,
dwelling; courtyard", gard
"dwelling,
house".
d)
Bench:
ON:
bekkr "bench", sessmeiðr "sitting-beam,
bench".
OE:
benc "bench", scamol "bench", medubenc
"mead-bench", medusetl
"mead-bench", bêorsetl
"beer-bench", ealobenc
"ale-bench".
OS:
bank "bench".
e)
Ale, Beer,
Mead
ON:
öl "ale", öldr "ale",
bjór "beer", hreinlögr
"the pure liquid, ale", kerstraumr "stream
of the goblet, ale", mjöð
"mead", vín
"wine".
OE:
ealu "ale", eoloð
"ale", bêor
"beer", medu
"mead", medudrinc
"mead", wîn
"wine".
OS:
alo "ale", medu
"mead", wîn
"wine".
f)
Gallows
ON:
galgi "gallows", vargtré "thief's tree,
gallows", galgtré
"gallows-tree", Sigars jór
"Sigar's horse, gallows", meiðr
"tree, beam", gálgviðr
"gallows-tree", hörva
Sleipnir "the bowstrings of Sleipnir".
OE:
gealga "gallows", gealgatrêow "gallows-tree".
OS:
galgo "gallows".
g)
Carrion,
the Slain, Corpses
ON:
hræ "carrion", beita úlfs "wolf-bait,
carrion", krásir úlfs "wolf-delicacies,
carrion", barr úlfa
"food of wolves,
carrion", hugins barr
"raven's food,
carrion", valr
"the slain", lík
"corpse", nár
"corpse".
OE:
æs "carrion", hræw "carrion, the slain",
wæl
"the slain", wælsleaht
"slaughter, corpses", lîc
"corpse, body".
OS:
hrêo "corpse", wal "the slain, corpses".
h)
Sickness,
Disease
ON:
sótt "sickness",
aldrtregi "life-long
sorrow,
sickness", sjúkleiki
"sickness,
illness", sjúkdómr
"sickness,
illness", sjúknaðr
"sickness,
disease".
OE:
sêocness
"sickness", leger
"illness, disease", âdl
"disease", broc
"disease", brocung
"disease", unhælu
"un-hale,
ill-health", suht
"illness".
OS:
legar "illness,
sickness", suht
"illness".
i)
Sleep,
Dreaming
ON:
svefn "sleep", draumþing "assembly of
dreams, sleep", svefnfarir
"sleep-journey, dream(ing)", draumr
"dream".
OE:
ræst "rest", slæp
"sleep", slûma
"slumber", sweofot
"sleep", swefn
"dream", mæting
"dream".
OS:
sweðan "dream", slâp "sleep", resta
"rest".
j)
Night,
Darkness, Dusk
ON:
nótt "night", njól "darkness", gríma
"night", óljós
"un-light", svefngaman
"dream-joy", draumnjörun
"dream-weaver".
OE:
niht "night", dimnes "night, darkness", genip
"darkness", heolstor
"darkness,
concealment", heolstorsceado
"the
shadow of darkness, night", ðêostru
"darkness", nihthelm
"shades of
night, cover of darkness", nihtglôm
"darkness of night", deorcnes
"darkness".
OS:
naht "night", thiustru "darkness".
k)
Grave
ON:
kumbl
"grave-mounument", gröf
"grave", haugr
"burial-mound", gröftr
"grave,
tomb".
OE:
græf "gave", hlæw
"mound", foldærn
"earth-chamber, tomb", êorðgrâp
"earth-grip", heolstorcofa
"chest of darkness, grave", hrûsan
heolstor
"house of darkness, grave", grêotes
fæðm
"in the grasp of earth", sandhof
"sand-dwelling, grave", dêaðreced
"death-hall, tomb, grave", moldstôw
"earth-place, grave", moldærn
"earth-hall,
grave", moldgræf
"earth-grave", foldgræf
"earth-hall, grave", byrgen
"tomb, grave".
OS:
graf "grave", hlêo "burial-mound", erðgraf
"earth-grave", stên-graf "grave in a
cliffside".
l)
Death,
(the) Dead, Die, Kill
ON:
dauði "death", aldrlag "life's-end,
death", aldrlok
"life's end, death", aldrtili "loss
of life, death", fjörlag
"life's end, death", andlát
"cessation of breathing, death", bana
"slay", deyða
"kill", drepa
"kill", slá
"kill, slay, strike", vega
"kill", nema
aldri "deprive of life, kill", nema
fjörvi "deprive of life, kill", rjóða
sverð "redden one's sword, kill", rjóða
mæki "redden one's sword, kill", rjóða
járn "redden one's iron (i.e. weapon), kill", deyja "die", svelta
"die", andask
"breathe one's
last, die", sofa
"sleep, die", ganga til heljar
"go to Hel, die", helveg troða
"tread the path to Hel, die", til moldar hníga "sink to
the earth, die", leggja aldr
"give up one's life, die", lúka
aldri "bring one's life to an end,
die", hverfa af lífi
"vanish from
life, die", verða nár
"become a
corpse, die", fjörlöstr
"life-fault,
death", fjörbann
"life-divorce,
death", banadagr
"death-day", aldrslit
"life-breach, death", dauðstund
"hour of death", bani
"death, bane", dauðdagr
"day of one's death", aldrlauss
"life-less, dead", fjörlöt
"hindering
of life, death", fjörrán
"robbery of
life, death", fjörspell
"life-flaw,
harm to life, death".
OE:
dêað "death", cwealm "death", swylt
"death", forðsîð
"journey forth,
death", forðweg
"journey forth,
death", hingang
"departure,
death", feorhgedâl "separation
from
life, death", lîfgedâl
"separation
from life, death", ealdorgedâl
"separation from life, death", feorhbealu
"life-injury, death", ealdorbealu
"life-injury, death", cwalu
"death", forðfôr
"departure,
journeying forth", unlîf
"un-life", swyltcwalu
"violent
death", swyltdêaþ
"death", morþ
"death, murder", gâstgedâl
"separation from spirit, death", sweltan
"die", cwelan
"die", gewîtan
"depart", heonan gangan
"go from hence, die", worold
ofgifan "leave the world, die", lîf oflætan "depart from
life, die", feorh âlecgan "give
up one's life, die", feorh
gesellan "give up one's spirit, die",
sâwolgedâl
"separation from spirit,
death", wælcwealm
"violent
death", wældêaþ
"violent death",
gûðdêaþ "death in
battle", nîðcwealm
"violent death, murderous end", dêaþcwalu
"slaughter, death", dêaþgedâl
"death, passing away", feorhcwalu
"quelling of life, death", feorh
aletan "give up one's life, die", heonongang "going hence,
death", nîedfaru
"enforced journey, death", diegan
"die".
OS:
dôð "death", forðweg
"journey forth, death", forðgang
"journey forth, death", hinfard
"journey hence, death", aslâpan
"sleep" (i.e. pass away), ferah
farlâtan
"give up one's life, die", lîf
ageban "give
up one's life, die", hinan
hwerban
"go hence, die", faran
"travel,
depart", dag endion
"end the day(s),
die", thit lioht afgeban "renounce
the light, die", orlag-hwîla "fated hour, time of
death", quelan
"suffer a violent death, die", quellian
"kill", quelmian
"kill", slahan
"kill,
slay", wal-dôð
"murder, violent death", bano
"murder, violent killing", ferah-quala "violent death", dôd "dead", dôdan
dôn "kill, slay", sweltan
"die, perish", dôian
"die",
qualm "violent
death, murder", wîtnon
"punish, kill".
m)
(to)
Travel, Go, Depart
ON:
ganga "walk, go", líða "travel, glide", fara "go, fare", stefna
"to travel in a certain direction".
OE:
gangan "walk, go",
gewîtan "depart", lîðan
"travel", faran
"fare", fêran
"fare", steppan
"step, tread", gehweorfan
"go,
depart; turn", sîðian
"travel,
depart", wadan
"wade, step", wendan
"turn, go".
OS:
gangan "walk, go",
giwîtan "depart", lîðan
"travel", faran
"fare, go",
stapan "step,
tread", sîðon
"go", hwerðian
"walk, go; turn", wendian
"turn".
n)
(to) Speak
ON:
segja "say,
speak", kveða
"say, speak", mæla
"speak, say", tala "speak,
talk", ræða
"speak".
OE:
cweþan "say", sprecan "speak", secgan
"say", reordian
"use one's
voice, speak", maþelian
"make a
sound, make a speech, utter words", giddian
"utter words", wordhord
onlûcan "unlock
one's store of words,
speak", lætan word
ûtfaran "express
in words", wordlocan
onspannan
"open up one's word-hoard, speak", gemælan
"speak".
OS:
sprekan "speak", seggian "say", queðan
"speak, say", queddian
"speak
to, address", mahlian
"speak,
talk".
a)
War,
Strife, Battle
ON:
böð "battle",
hildr "battle",
orrosta "battle",
róma "battle",
stríð "strife,
war", víg "war",
naddél "shower of
arrows", eggleikr
"edge-play, battle", hjörleikr
"sword-play, battle", hjörþing
"assembly of swords, battle", brynþing
"assembly of mailshirts, battle", dólga
dynr "clash of hostilities, battle", Hugins jól "feast of
Huginn (one of Odin's
ravens), battle", Freys leikr
"the
sport of Frey, battle", sverðleikr
or sverðaleikr
"sword-play, battle", gunnr
"war", orrostaslag
"battle", hjörgráð
"sword-greed,
battle", hildarleikar
"war-playing,
battle", fólkbardagi
"folk-battle,
great battle", fólkorrosta
"large
battle", geirþruful
"spear-fumbling,
battle", höð
"war, strife", geirahöð
"spear-strife, war", valstefna
"slaughter-meeting, battle", hjörstefna
"meeting of swords, battle", geirþriful
"war" (a valkyrie name), skögul
"war, battle" (a valkyrie name), sköglar
verk "work of the valkyries, war", sköglar söngur "lay of the
valkyries,
battle", valfasta veðr
"wind of
swords, battle", vígafar
"war-journey, strife", fólk
"battle" (in kennings especially), fólkvíg
"great battle", vápnabrak
"clash
of arms, battle", vápnamót
"meeting
of weapons, battle", vápnastefna
"meeting of weapons, battle", vápnaþing
"assembly of weapons, battle", vápnasamankváma
"meeting of weapons, battle", vápnasöngr
"lay of clashing arms, battle", dólg
"direful emnity, war", valþing
"slaughter-meeting, battle", hjördynr
"clash of swords, battle", hjördrífa
"clattering of swords, battle", hjörgaldr
"the singing of swords, battle", hjörgöll
"clashing of edges, battle", hjörrödd
"voice of swords" (i.e. the sound of battle), hjörþeyr "sword-gust,
storm of swords, battle", hjörþrá
"sword-defiance, opposition with swords,
battle", vígþeyr
"slaying-gust, storm
of slaughter, battle", hringskúr
"shower of swords, battle", herstefna
"war-assembly, battle", hervíg
"battle", vápneiðr
"weapon-protection (lit. "cursing"), battle", vápnglymr "clatter of
arms, battle", vápnhríð
"storm of arms, battle", vápnþrima
"clash of arms, battle", vápnþruma
"thunderous clashing of arms,
battle", járnleikr
"iron-play,
battle", járnrödd
"iron-voice, the
ringing out of iron weapons, battle", járnsveimr
"iron-tumult, the clash of iron weapons, battle", gunnél "war-shower, the
raining down of missiles
in battle", gunnþing
"war-assembly,
battle", Óðins veðr
"Odin's weather,
battle", egghríð
"storm of edges,
battle", eggmót
"meeting of edges,
battle", eggroð
"reddener of edges,
battle", eggtog
"the pulling of
edges, battle", eggþing
"meeting of
edges, battle", sverðél
or sverðaél
"sword-shower, battle", sverðahríð
"sword-storm, battle", sverðaþröng
"throng of swords, battle", sverðdynr
"the din of swords, battle", sverðregn
"sword-rain, the raining down of
edges", sverðtog
"the pulling of
swords, battle", sverðþing
"meeting
of swords, battle", geirhríð
"storm
of spears, battle", geirleikr
"spear-play, battle", geirveðr
"spear-weather, battle", geirþeyr
"spear-gust, storm of spears, battle", geirþing
"assembly of spears, battle", hjálmdrifa
"bearer of a helmet, warrior", hjálmrödd
"voice of helmets, battle", hjálmþruma
"thunderous clashing of helmets, battle", skjaldar
él "storm of shields, battle", skjaldar
gnýr "clashing of shields, battle", skjaldbrak
"crash of shields, battle", skjaldveðr
"shield-weather, battle", benregn
"wound-rain" or "rain of weapons, battle", benrögn "wound-rain" or
"rain of
weapons, battle", spjóta jag
"harping
on spears, battle", spjóta dynr
"din
of spears, battle", jara
"battle", fólkjara
"great
battle", sig
"battle", sigrleikr
"victory-play, battle", styrjöld
"war", bardagi
"battle", Jalfaðs él "snowstorm
of Odin, battle".
OE:
gûð "war", hild
"war", wîg "war",
gewinn "strife", geslieht
"slaying", gefeoht
"battle", camp
"war", nîð
"hostility", beado
"war", orlege
"war", ecgplega
"edge-play, battle", æscplega
"spear-play, battle", ecga
gelâc "sword-play, battle", sweordplega
"sword-play, battle", sweorda
gelâc "sword-play, battle", lindplega
"shield-play, battle", wæpenþracu
"clashing of arms, battle", æscþracu
"clashing of spear-shafts,
battle", handgemôt
"hand-to-hand
engagement", wælræs
"rush of
slaughter", cumbolgehnâst
"crash of
banners, battle", wæpngewrîxl
"exchange of weapons, battle", borda
gebræc "clashing
of shields, battle", billa
brôga
"terror of swords", ecghete
"edge-hate, war", heaþowigræden
"war", lâc
"battle", wîgræden
"war", gûðplega
"war-play, battle", gûðgewinn
"war-strife, battle", beadulâc
"battle-play", wîgplega
"war-play, battle", gârgewinn
"spear-strife, battle", wîgþracu
"war-violence, battle", ôret
"war", hildeþracu
"battle-violence", heaþolâc
"war-play, battle", campwîg
"war", secgplega
"warrior-play,
battle", ecgþracu
"clashing of
swords, battle", gârræs
"flurry of
spears, spear-rush", lêodgewinn
"folk-strife", wîgbealo
"war", wælnîþ
"violence,
war", lindgelâc
"shield-play,
battle", beaduræs
"onslaught, rush of
battle", campræden
"war, state of
war", wælnîð
"murderous emnity,
edge-hatred", folcgewinn
"great
strife, national strife", hilderæs
"onslaught, rush of battle", hildescûr
"shower of missiles", wæpengewrixle
"exchange of weapons, engagement", wæpenhete
"weapon-hate, war", wæpenþracu
"clashing of weapons, engagement", gûðgemôt
"war-meeting, battle", gûðþracu
"violence, clashing in battle", gûðræs
"onslaught, rush of battle", bilhete
"sword-hate, war", bilgeslyht
"sword-slaughter", secgplega
"sword-play, battle", nîðplega
"playing out of hostilities, battle", ecgwæl
"edge-slaughter, battle", sweordlêoma
"flashing of swords, battle", sweordræs
"sword-rush, onslaught, battle", gârcwealm
"spear-slaughter", gârnîð
"spear-emnity, battle", gârþracu
"clashing of spears, battle", scyldhete
"shield-hate, battle".
OS:
fehta "war,
strife", hild
"war", orlag
"war", strîd
"strife, war",
urlagi "war", wîg "war", giwin
"strife", gûth
"war", wâpno spil
"weapon-play, battle", wâpno
nîð "emnity of
weapons", gêrheti
"spear-hate, war", wîgsaka
"strife, emnity", nîð-skepi
"emnity, strife", hildia
"battle", gûðia
"battle,
war", nîð
"emnity".
b)
War-gear,
Armour, Mailshirt, Helmet
ON:
brynja
"mailshirt", hringskyrta
"ring-shirt", böðserkr
"war-shirt, corslet", hringserkr
"ring-shirt, corslet", hjálmr
"helmet", jöfurr
"boar (hemlet)", hildigöltr
"war-boar, boar-helmet", hildisvín
"boar-helmet", fjörnir
"life-defender, helmet", herbúnaðr
"war-gear", herklæðnaðr
"battle-dress, corslet", herfæri
"war-gear", herskapsbúnaðr
"war-gear", blóðísungr
"blood
head-cloth, helmet", valhrímnir
"slaughter-boar, boar-helmet", valgöltr
"slaughter-boar, boar-helmet", fólkvápn
"arms, weapons", herneskja
"armour", herskaparfæri
"implement of war, weapon", herklæði
"battle-dress, armour", hervápn
"arms, weapons", vápnföt
"weapon-garb, armour", vápnabúnaðr
"war-gear, arms", brynstakkr
"mailshirt", hringa-brynja "ring-mail shirt", hildigríma "battle-mask,
helmet", böðkufl
"battle-cowl, corslet", sigtól
"implement of war, weapon", hervoð
"battle-cloth, mailshirt".
OE:
wîggetâwe
"war-gear", heregeatu
"war-gear", gûðsearo
"battle-armour", gûðgetâma
"war-gear", gûðgeatwe
"war-gear, armour", fierdgeatwe
"levy-gear, arms", byrne
"mailshirt", sierce
"sark, mailshirt", searo
"armour", herepâd "war-cloak,
corslet", heresceorp
"war-dress,
armour", herewæde
"war-dress,
armour", beaduhrægl
"war-dress,
corslet", beaduscrûd "war-shroud,
corslet", fierdhrægl "levy-dress,
corslet", heaðowæde "battle-dress,
corslet",
hêaðorêaf "battle-dress,
armour", hildegeatwe "war-gear",
herenett
"mailshirt", hringnett
"mailshirt", brêostnet
"mailshirt", brêostgewæde
"corslet", hringloca
"mailshirt", rêaf
"armour", heresierce
"war-sark, corslet", heaþobyrne
"war-corslet", gûðbyrne
"war-corslet", gûðrêað
"battle-armour", herebyrne
"war-corselt", byrnhâm
"mailshirt home", îrenbyrne
"iron mailshirt", fierdsearo
"levy-armour", beadusearo
"battle-armour", helm
"helmet", beadugrîma
"battle-mask, helmet", heregrîma
"battle-mask, helmet", wîgheafola
"war-head, helmet", gûðhelm
"battle-helmet", grîma
"mask,
helmet", heaþohelm
"battle-helmet", grîmhelm
"visored helmet", heafodsegn
"head-banner, helmet", heafodborg
"head-protection, helmet", fierdhâm
"corslet", fierdsceorp
"levy-dress, armour", wîghyrsta
"war-gear", beadusierce
"battle-sark, corslet", beaduwæpen
"arm, weapon, implement of war", campwæpen
"arm, weapon, implement of war", heoru
sierce "sword-sark, corslet", hildesierce
"battle-sark, corslet", hildesceorp
"battle-dress, armour", gûðgewæde
"war-gear, armour", gûðscrûd
"battle-shroud, corslet", îsenbyrne
"steel corslet", hildewæpen
"arm, weapon, implement of war", heorusceorp
"sword-dress, armour, corslet".
OS:
helm "helmet", grîmo "mask, helmet", sarrok "wound-shirt,
corslet", giwâpni
"war-gear".
c)
Shield
ON:
skjöldr "shield", lind "lind-wood shield", rönd "roundel, shield", gunnborð "war-board,
shield", geirvangr
"spear-plain, shield", land
fleina "plain of spears, shield", geirnet "spear-net,
shield", hlébarðr
"shelter-rim, shield", hlíf
"protection, cover, shield", skögulborð
"war-board, shield", herskjöldr
"war-shield", valgrind
"slaughter-fence, shield", valbrik
"slaughter-board, shield", vígbölkr
"war-baulk, shield", víggarðr
"war-fence, shield", vígský
"war-cloud, shield", vígtjald
"war-tent, shield", fólkstafn
"battle-stem, shield", fólkstjald
"tent of battle, shield", hringa
Ullar "rings of Ull", hergarðr
"war-fence, shield", gunnhörgr
"battle-cairn, shield", gunnmáni
"battle-moon, shield", hræmáni
"carrion-moon, shield", hræstorð
"carrion-wood, shield", böðmáni
"battle-moon, shield", böðský
"battle-cloud, shield", geirbrik
"spear-board, shield", geirfit
"spear-paddle, shield", borði
"shield", víga
ský "cloud of battles, shield", hildar
ský "cloud of battles, shield", oddský
"spear-cloud, shield", sigmáni
"victory-moon, shield", sigrborð
"victory-board, shield", hjörvangr
"plain of swords, shield", hjörþilja
"sword-plank, shield", skír
"shield".
OE:
scield "shield", lind "lind-wood shield", bord "board, shield", rand "roundel, shield", heaþolind "war lind-wood,
shield", hilderand
"battle-roundel, shield", bânhelm
"bone-protector, shield", hildefrôfor
"war-comfort, shield", lindwudu
"lind-wood, shield", bordwudu
"board-wood, shield", hildebord
"battle-board, shield", campwudu
"battle-wood, shield", gûðbord
"war-board, shield", wîgbord
"war-board, shield", bordrand
"roundel-board, shield".
OS:
skild "shield", bord "shield".
d)
Sword,
Spear, Axe, Arrow
ON:
hjörr "sword", mækir "sword", sverð
"sword", narr
"sword", logi
"sword" (lit. "flame"), naðr
"adder, snake" (i.e. sword), brimir
"sword", unnr
"sword" (lit. "wave"), egg
"edge, sword", benlogi
"wound-flame, sword", blóðormr
"blood-snake, sword", sárvöndr
"wand of wounds, sword", rógþorn
"war-thorn, sword", beneldr
"wound-flame, sword", sáreldr
"wound-flame, sword", dverga
smíði "work of the
dwarves, sword", skíðijárn
"sheath-iron, sword", valteinn
"slaughter-stick, sword", gunnlogi
"flame of war, sword", beneldi
"wound-flame, sword", benstörr
"wound-sedge, sword", benvöndr
"wound-wand, sword", hirðir
"that which goes hard, sword", dólgár
"war-oar, sword or spear", hræ-frakki
"carrion-point, sword", vitnir
"wolf, sword", geirr
"spear", spjót
"spear", frakka
"spear", darr
"spear, dart", darraðr
"spear,
dart", askr
"ash-spear", sáraþorn
"wound-thorn, spear", bengeirr
"wound-spear", naddr
"point, spear", sváf
"spear", sax-knífr "dagger", valfasti
"fire of slaughter, sword", vígvölr
"battle-stick, sword or spear", herör
"war-arrow", brynju-bítr "mail-biter, sword", bryn-knífr
"mail-knife, dagger", valnaðr
"slaughter-adder, sword", valskóð
"weapon of slaughter, sword", blóðís
"freezer or congealer of the blood, sword", blóðvöndr
"blood-wand, sword", vígeldr
"flame of war, sword", vígleiftr
"flash of battle, sword", vígnaðr
"war-adder, sword", þrimarr
"sword", hildarvöndr
"wand of
battle, sword", dólglímr
"battle-limb, sword", járnsveins
hyrr
"sword", gunnblik
"gleam of
battle, sword", gunneldr
"flame of
battle, sword", gunnsproti
"war-stick, spear", hrægagarr
"dog of carrion, sword, spear", hrækyndill
"candle of carrion, sword, spear", hræleiftr
"torch of carrion, sword, spear", hrælinnr
"serpent of carrion, sword, spear", hrænaðr
"adder of carrion, sword, spear", hræskóð
"weapon of carrion, sword, spear", fjörsváfnir
"that which puts life to sleep, sword", brynglóð
"corslet-embers, sword", brynja
vöndr
"wand of mailshirts, sword", hjálmangr
"distress of helmets, sword", hjálmeldr
"helm-fire, sword", hjálmgrand
"harm of helmets, sword", hjálmröðull
"helmet-sun, sword" (meaning appears to be obscure), hjálmsproti "helm-stick,
sword", skjaldar leygr
"flame of shields, sword", skjaldreyr
"shield-snake, that which burrows
into shields, sword", benlinnr
"wound-serpent, sword", benmáni
"wound-moon (i.e. that which gleams and wounds?), sword", bensól "wound-sun, sword",
benteinn
"wound-stick, sword", sárþísl
"wound cart-pole, sword, spear", sárís
"freezer or congealer of wound blood,
sword", sárklungr
"wound-bramble,
sword", sárlax
"wound-salmon,
sword", sárlímr
"wound-limb,
sword", sárlogi
"wound-flame,
sword", sárteinn
"wound-stick,
sword", sárviti
"wound-beacon,
sword", undavöndr
"wand of wounds,
sword", undfleinn
"wound-shaft,
sword", undglóð
"wound-embers,
sword", undleggr
"wound-leg, sword",
undlímr
"wound-limb, sword", undskíð
"wound-ski, sword", dólgrá
"battle-oar, spear", brynflagð
"ogress of the mailshirt,
battle-axe", bryngagl
"corslet-goose,
arrow", bensíld
"wound-herring,
spear, arrow", bengríðr
"giantess of
wounding, battle-axe", sárgagl
"wound-goose, arrow, spear", undvargr
"wound-wolf, battle-axe", vigr
"spear", ör
"arrow", spjör
"spear", barða
"axe", fleinn
"arrow,
dart", vígglóðr
"axe", skjaldlinnr
"shield-snake, that which burrows
into shields, sword", veigarr
"sword".
OE:
sweord "sword", bill "sword", heoro
"sword", mêce
"sword", ecg
"edge, sword", îren
"iron, sword", lâf
hamera "the legacy
of hammers, sword", lâf
fêla "the
legacy of files, sword", handweorc
smiða "work of
smiths, sword", beadulêoma
"light of war, sword", hildelêoma
"light of war, sword", gûðwine
"war-friend, sword", hildebill
"battle-sword", beadumêce
"war-sword", gûðbill
"war-sword", gûðsweord
"war-sword", wîgbill
"war-sword", secg
"sword", gâr
"spear", spere
"spear", daroð
"spear, dart", pîl
"spear, javelin", flân
"spear, dart", stræl
"arrow", ord
"point, spear", æsc
"ash-spear", æscholt
"ash-wood
spear", heresceaft
"war-shaft,
spear", wælsceaft
"slaughter-shaft,
spear", wælsteng
"slaughter-stick,
spear", gûðwudu
"war-wood, spear,
javelin", campwudu
"war-wood,
spear", hildenædre
"war-snake,
arrow", franca
"javelin", wîgspere
"battle-spear", wælspere
"slaughter-spear", mægenwudu
"wood of might, spear", wælgâr
"slaughter-spear", wîggâr
"war-spear", gârholt
"spear", gârwudu
"spear", wælseax
"deadly
dagger", wælpîl
"deadly arrow", hildemêce
"war-sword", hildepîl
"battle-arrow", gûðflân
"battle-spear, javelin, arrow", bangâr
"bane-spear, deadly shaft", earh
and earg
"arrow".
OS:
swerd "sword", bil "sword", mâki
"sword", eggja
"edge,
sword", îsarn
"iron, sword", gêr
"spear", skaft
"shaft, spear", heru-
"sword" (in compounds).
e)
Wound,
Blood
ON:
ben "wound", sár
"sore", und
"wound", dólgspor
"war-mark, wound", blóð
"blood", dreyri
"gore", hlaut
"blood", roðra
"the red, blood", sveiti
"sweat, blood", valdögg
"corpse-dew, blood", sárdropi
"wound-drop, blood", fleina
flóð
"arrows' flood, blood", mækis
straumr "stream of
the sword, blood", mækis
á "river
of the sword, blood", hræsær
"corpse-sea, blood", Hugins
vörr
"sea of Huginn, blood", Hugins
drekka
"drink of Huginn, blood", oddlá
"spear-water, blood", hjörlögr
"sword-water, blood", valblöð
"blood of the slain", blóðdrif
"flowing of blood", blóðfors
"gush of blood" (fors
=
"waterfall"), blóðbogi
"gush of
blood", vápnabit
"the bite of
weapons, wound", vápnastaðr
"weapon-mark,
wound", banasár
"fatal wound", sárlögr
"wound-water, blood", dauðdreyri
"deadly wounding, gore", valbjór
"slaughter-beer, blood", valdreyri
"gore of the slain", hjörregn
"sword-rain, blood", vápnboði
"billow of weapons, blood", vápndögg
"weapon-dew, blood", vápnröst
"weapon-stream, blood", hrædögg
"corpse-dew, blood", hræflóð
"corpse-flood, blood", hrælækr
"corpse-brook, blood", eggjaspor
"mark of edges, wound", benfoss
"wound-waterfall, blood", bensnær
"wound-snow, blood", benjalögr
"water of wounds, blood", sárflóð
"wound-flood, blood", undasveiti
"sweat of wounds, blood", undbára
"wound-wave, blood", undlögr
"wound-water, blood", úlfvín
"wine of wolves, blood", hrafnvín
"wine of ravens, blood".
OE:
benn "wound", dolh "wound", wund
"wound", sâr
"sore, wound",
bilswaðu
"sword-mark, wound", sweordes
bite
"sword-bite, wound", billes
bite "sword-bite,
wound", wælbenn
"dire wound", blôd
"blood", drêor
"gore", heolfor
"gore", swât
"sweat, blood", heaðoswât
"war-sweat, blood", heorodrync
"drink of swords, blood", dolgbenn
"dire wound", sârbenn
"dire wound", wundel
"wound", wældrêor
"deadly gore, blood", heorudolg
"sword-wound", heorudrêor
"sword-gore, blood", dolgwund
"dire wound", hildeswât
"battle-sweat, blood", feorhbenn
"fatal wound", feorhdolg
"fatal
wound", feorhwund
"fatal wound",
sweordwund
"sword-wound".
OS:
wunda "wound", thes billes biti "sword-bite, wound", beni-wunda "dire
wound, fatal wound", lîk-wunda "bodily wound", blôd "blood", drôr
"gore, blood", swêt
"sweat,
blood".
a)
Sea, Wave
ON:
brim "surf, sea", haf "sea", marr
"mere", sær
"sea", víðir
"sea", ægir
"sea" (name of the sea-god Ægir), álheimr
"dwelling of eels, sea", land
skipa "plain of
ships, sea", sæfugla
land
"plain of sea-birds, sea", otrheimr
"dwelling of otters, sea", land
Ránar "Rán's
country, ocean", Ýmis
blôd
"Ýmir's blood, sea, ocean", sund
"sound", alda
"wave", unnr and uðr
"wave", breki
"breaker", márfjall
"flood-mountain, wave", Ægis
dóttir
"daughter of Ægir, wave", Ránar
dóttir "daughter
of Ránir, wave", sjóvarbylja
"sea-wave", bylja
"wave, billow", bára
"wave, billow", hafbára
"sea-wave", hafsmegin
"high sea, ocean", borðgrund
"land of boards (i.e. ships), the sea", borðvöllr
"plain of boards (i.e. ships), sea", lögr
"sea, water", foldar hringar
"the plains of rings (i.e. waves), sea", Leifa
land "land of Leifi (a sea-king), the ocean", Leifnis grund "plain of
Leifnir (a sea-king),
the ocean", brimleið
"way of the
surf, sea", ægisjór
"sea of Ægir, the
ocean", ægisheimr
"dwelling of Ægir,
the ocean", kjölslóð
"keel-trail, the
sea", hafalda
"sea-wave,
billow", jötundreyri
"giant's blood,
the ocean", vágr
"wave".
OE:
brim "sea, flood",
flot "float, sea",
gârsecg
"spear-man (a reference to Neptune), ocean", hæf
"sea", holm
"flood, sea", mere
"mere", sæ
"sea", sund
"sound, flood",
hwæles êðel
"whale's homeland, sea", mæwes
êðel "seagull's
homeland, sea", fîfelstrêam
"sea-monster's channel, sea,
flood", ganotes bæð
"gannet's bath, sea", fisces
bæð "fish's bath,
sea", bæðweg
"bath-way, sea", hranrâd
"whale's road, sea", swanrâd
"swan's road, sea", seglrâd
"path of sails, ocean", ýðegelâd
"path of waves, sea", ýða
ful "vessel
of waves, sea", wæges
wielm "the wave's
surging, sea", flôdes
wielm
"surging of the flood, sea", ýða
gelâc "play of
waves, sea", sealtstrêamas
"salt-streams, waves", wylm
"surging, boiling, flood", geofon
"ocean, flood", lagu
"sea, flood", mereflôd
"sea-flood", seolhbæð
"seal's
bath, sea", hêahsæ
"high-sea", sæholm
"sea", sæweg
"sea", brimflôd
"sea-flood", brimrâd
"path of
the sea", flotweg
"sea", laguflôd
"sea-flood", lagustrêam
"sea-streams", wægholm
"wave-flood, sea", sæflôd
"sea-flood", ýþmere
"wave-mere", geofonflôd
"ocean-flood", ýð
"wave", firnstrêamas
"the ancient streams, the
ocean", sæýð
"sea-wave, billow",
sæwæg "sea-wave,
billow", holmweall
"sea-wall, wave", holmmægen
"flood-main, ocean", wægþrêat
"wave-throng, flood", ýðmere
"wave-mere, sea", hwælmere
"whale's mere, sea", hwælweg
"the whale's way, sea", windgeard
"the wind's enclosure, ocean", sæweall
"sea-wall, wave", sæwang
"plain of the sea, ocean", lagustræt
"sea-road, sea", seolhpæð
"the seal's path, sea", fisces
êðel "the fish's homeland, sea".
OS:
flôd "flood", merî "mere, sea", sê, sêo "sea", lagu
"sea, flood", sêo-strôm "sea-streams", lagu-strôm
"sea-streams", ûðia
"wave",
meristrôm
"sea-stream", wâg
"wave; flood", sundia
"sound", fluti
"river,
stream", strôm
"flood, stream".
b)
Seaman,
Sailor
ON:
kjölrennir
"keel-runner, sailor", sundvörðr
"flood-ward, seaman", kjölfari
"keel-farer, sailor", sjómaðr
"seaman", sjóvíkingr
"pirate", skipamaðr
"sailor,
seaman", skipari
"sailor,
seaman", siglingamaðr
"sailor".
OE:
merefara
"mere-traveller, seaman", brimlîðend
"flood-goer, seaman", merelîðend
"mere-goer, seaman", sælîðend
"sea-goer, sailor", sæmann
"seaman", særinc
"sea-warrior", faroðrîðend
"water-rider, sailor", sundbûend
"flood-dweller, seaman", scipfêrend
"ship-farer, sailor", scipweard
"ship-ward, seaman", sælida
"sea-farer, sailor", scipflota
"seafarer", sægenga
"sea-goer,
sailor", lidmann
"ship-man, seaman",
scipmann
"ship-man, seaman", flotmann
"sea-man", flota
"sailor", lidweard
"ship-ward, sailor", brimgiest
"guest of the sea, sailor", brimmann
"sea-man, sailor", sundlida
"sailor of the sound, seaman", wæglîðend
"wave-goer, sailor", wîcing
"viking, pirate".
OS:
lagu-lîðandi
"sea-farer, sailor", sêo-lîðandi "sea-farer,
sailor", askman
"ash-wood-ship man, sailor", wâg-lîðand "one
who travels the waves, sea-farer".
c)
Ship, Boat
ON:
bátr "boat", beit
"boat", fley
"swift ship", kjöll
"keel, ship", knörr
"ship", lið
"ship", skip
"ship", far
"vessel", eik,
eikir, eikja
"oak-wood, ship", sætré
"sea-tree, ship", sæskíð
"sea-wood, ship", vágmarr
"wave-horse, ship", seglmarr
"sail-horse, ship", hestr
unnr "horse of the
waves, ship", brimdýr
"flood-beast, ship", brimsvín
"flood-swine, ship", ráfákr
"row-horse, ship", jór
Ægis "Ægir's
steed, ship", bátskip
"boat", hafskip
"ocean-going ship", haffærandi
"ocean traverser, ship", sævar
hlynr "treasure of the sea, ship", langskip "longship, war
galley", herskip
"war-ship", seglvigg
"sail-steed, ship", vígskip
"war-ship, galley", borðhestr
"board-horse, ship", haffaxi
"sea-horse, ship", hafraukn
"steed of the sea, ship", hafreið
"sea-vehicle, ship", hafskíð
"sea-ski, ship", brimskíð
"flood-ski, ship", sigluborg
"sailing-mound, ship", siglamarr
"sail-steed, ship", siglagammr
"sail-vulture, ship", nökkvi
"boat, ship".
OE:
scip "ship", bât
"boat", cnear
"small ship",
cêol "keel, ship",
fær "vessel", flota
"floater, ship, vessel", æsc
"ash-wood, ship", naca
"boat,
ship", âc
"oak-wood, ship", brimhengest
"flood-horse, ship", merehengest
"mere-horse, ship", sundhengest
"flood-horse, ship", sæhengest
"sea-horse, ship", faroðhengest
"water-horse, ship", wæghengest
"horse of the waves, ship", ýðhengest
"horse of the waves, ship", lagumearh
"flood-horse, ship", sæmearh
"sea-horse, ship", ýðmearh
"horse of the waves, ship", sægenga
"sea-goer, ship", ýðliða
"wave-goer, ship", brimwudu
"flood-wood, ship", sæwudu
"sea-wood, ship", sundwudu
"flood-wood, ship", nægled
bord "nailed
board, ship", wægbord
"board of the
waves, ship", ýðhof
"wave-house,
ship", merehûs
"house of the mere,
ship", geofonhûs
"house of the sea,
ship", sundreced
"flood-hall,
ship", wundenstefna
"twisted-prow,
ship", hringedstefna
"ringed-prow,
ship", wægþel
"wave-plank,
ship", þelfæsten
"plank-fortress,
ship", lid
"ship", brimþisa
"ship", holmærn
"sea-hall, ship", flotscip
"sea-ship", ýþbord
"wave-board,
ship", ýðlid
"wave-ship", wægflota
"wave-ship", ýþnaca
"wave-boat", cêolþelu
"keel-plank, ship", sæbât
"sea-boat", sæflota
"sea-floater, ship", sænaca
"ship", hringnaca
"ring-prowed
ship", merebât
"flood-boat", mereþisa
"ship", merehûs
"ark, large ship", holmwudu
"flood-wood, ship", wægbora
"wave-traverser, ship", lagumearh
"horse of the flood, ship".
OS:
skip "ship", nako
"boat, ship".
a)
Wolf, Fox
ON:
úlfr "wolf", vargr
"wolf", geri
"ravener, the
greedy one, wolf" (Geri was one
of Odin's two wolves), freki
"the greedy
one, wolf" (Freki was the other
of Odin's two wolves), heiðingi
"heath
dweller, wolf", hreingálkn
"rein-troll, wolf", valdýr
"corpse-beast, wolf", gránstóð
"grey stud, wolf", gríðar
"wolf", hrægífr
"corpse-hag,
wolf", Viðris grey
"Odin's dog,
wolf", vitnir
"wolf", hlébarðr
"wolf", faxi
járnsöxu "horse of the troll-woman, wolf", hergaupr "battle-lynx,
wolf", refr
"fox", skolli
"fox", langstaat
"long-tail,
fox", grenbúi
"den-dweller,
fox", melrakki
"arctic fox", fóa
"she-fox".
OE:
wulf "wolf", wearg
"wolf", græghama
"grey-coat,
wolf", hâr hædstapa
"hoary heath-stepper, wolf", mearcweard
"border-guardian, wolf", freca
"wolf", fox "fox”.
OS:
wulf "wolf".
b)
Ox, Goat,
Hart, Horse
ON:
uxi "ox", okhreinn
"reindeer of the yoke, ox", okbjörn
"yoke-bear, ox", hriðr
"ox", viggi "ox",
griðungr "ox", gullinhorni
"gold-horn, ox", geit
"goat", hafr
"he-goat", bukkr
"buck", drasill
"horse", hestr
"horse", hross
"horse", jór
"steed", marr
"mare", viggr and
vigg
"horse", söðudýr
"saddled-beast,
horse", hjörtr reiðar
"hart of harnesses, horse", faxi
"maned one, horse".
OE:
hrîðer "ox", oxa
"ox", stêor "ox,
steer", gât
"goat", bucca
"he-goat", hæfer
"he-goat",
heorot "hart", hæðstapa "heath-stepper,
hart", bucc
"buck, male deer", mearh
"mare", wicg
"horse", hors
"horse", êoh
"steed", hengest
"horse".
OS:
gêt "goat", wigg
"horse", hros
"horse", hers
"horse".
c)
Snake,
Serpent, Dragon
ON:
dreki "serpent,
dragon", drákón
"dragon", naðr
and naðra "snake",
ormr "snake,
reptile", yrmlingr
"wormling, little snake", lyngfiskr
"ling-fish, snake", viðfiskr
"forest-fish, snake", fiskr
foldar
"fish of the land, snake", eitrfiskr
"venom-fish, poisonous snake", linnormr
"serpent", linnr
"serpent",
lyngál "ling-eel,
snake", lyngölunn
"ling-fish, snake", heimr
"snake", grafvitnir
"grave-wolf, worm", heiðbúi
"heath-dweller, snake", vallbaugr
"earth-ring, that which coils on the ground, snake", gullbúi "dweller with the
gold, dragon", fold-sili
"earth-ribbon, snake", fold
væringi
"Varangian of the earth, snake", snákr
"snake", maðkr
"worm".
OE:
draca "serpent,
dragon", nædre
"snake", wyrm
"snake, reptile", ûhtsceaða
"enemy of the dawn, dragon", âttorsceaða
"venomous enemy, serpent", ferhðgenîðla
"life-enemy, dragon, serpent", ealdorgewinna
"deadly foe, dragon", lîgdraca
"fiery-dragon", snaca
"snake", nîðdraca
"hostile
dragon", gûðfloga
"war-like flier,
dragon", eorðdraca
"earth-dragon,
serpent", sædraca
"sea-dragon, sea
serpent", goldweard
"gold-ward,
dragon", bansnaca
"bane-snake,
venomous serpent", ûhtfloga
"flier by
dawn, dragon".
OS:
wurm "snake,
serpent", nadara
"viper, adder".
d)
Raven(s),
Eagle, Cuckoo, Hen
ON:
hrafn "raven", dólgskári "gull of war,
raven", hræskurðr
"corpse-shearer, raven", hræ-fugl
"corpse-bird, raven", hrægammr
"corpse-vulture, raven", benskári
"gull of wounds, raven", haukr
gunnr
"battle-hawk, raven", haukr
hræs "hawk
of the slain, raven", undgagl
"wound-bird, raven", valgagl
"bird of death, raven", huginn
"the sensible, the concious; thought" (name of one of Odin's ravens),
sveita svanr
"blood-swan, raven", blóðgagl
"blood-goose, raven", benþiðurr
"wound-goose, raven", geira
hríðar gjóðr "osprey of the spear-storm,
raven", dólgsvala
"battle-swallow,
raven", nágagl
"corpse-goose,
raven", hræva gaukr
"corpse-cuckoo, raven", Yggar
már "Yggr's
seagull, raven" (Yggr is a name for
Odin), Yggs svanr
"Yggr's swan, raven", Gauts
gaukr "Gautr's cuckoo, raven" (Gautr
is a name for Odin), hjaldrs
trani "crane of battle, raven", átfrekir Óðins haukar
"Odin's greedy hawks,
ravens", blóðhelsingi
"blood-goose,
raven", valgjóðr
"vulture of the
slain, raven", blóðvalr
"blood-hawk,
raven", vígstari
"battle-starling,
raven", fólkstari
"battle-starling,
raven", gunnmár
"war-gull,
raven", gunnvalr
"battle-hawk,
raven", hræskúfr
"corpse-skua,
raven", benmár
"wound-gull,
raven", sárgagl
"wound-goose,
raven", undgjóðr
"wound-vulture,
raven", bergir blóðs
"drinker of
blood, raven", Jalfaðs svanr
"swan of
Odin, raven", ari
"eagle", örn
"eagle", valfugl
"bird of the slain, eagle", hræsvelgr
"chooser of the slain, eagle", haukr
hjörleiks "hawk of
the sword-play, eagle", valr
unda "hawk
of wounds, eagle", hergammr
"war-vulture, eagle", sármútari
"wound-hawk, eagle", hani
"hen", salgaukr
"hall-cuckoo,
hen, chicken", gullinkambi
"golden-crest" (a hen of the Æsir).
OE:
hræfn "raven", hremm "raven", lyftscaða
"air-pirate, raven", wælcêasiga
"chooser of the slain, raven", nihthrôc
"night-rook, raven", earn
"eagle", gûðfugol
"war-bird,
eagle", gûðhafoc
"war-hawk,
eagle", gêac
"cuckoo", sumeres
weard
"guardian of summer, cuckoo", hænn
"hen", henfugol
"hen,
chicken".
e)
Fish,
Whale
ON:
fiskr "fish", hvalr "whale", sjófang
"burden of the sea, fish".
OE:
fisc "fish", brimhlæst
"burden of the sea, fish", holmes
læst "burden of
the sea, fish", laguswimmend
"flood-swimmer, fish", wægdêor
"beast of the waves, fish", merefisc
"sea-fish", sæfisc
"sea-fish", hwæl
"whale", hran
"whale", hranfisc
"whale", mereweard
"guardian of the flood, whale", gârsecges
gâst "guest of the
sea, whale", fyrnstrêama
geflota
"floater of the ancient sea-streams, whale", wæterþisa
"water-traverser, whale".
OS:
fisk "fish".
a)
The Earth,
World
ON:
fold "earth,
land", grund
"earth", jörð
"earth", land
"land", mold
"soil, land", heimr
"world", miðgarðr
"the middle
enclosure" (i.e. the world of men, as opposed to Ásgarðr,
the dwelling of the gods), jörmungrund
"huge-ground, the world", heimstöð "homestead,
the world", aurvangr
"mud-plain, the
earth", alda vé
"dwelling of men, the world", ígrøn
"the ever-green, the earth", gróandi
"the growing, the earth", ljóðheimr
"the world of men", Ýmis
hold "the flesh of
Ýmir, the earth", heimskringla
"the orb of the earth", foldvegr
"earth", Óðins
kvon "lady of Odin, the earth", salar
steinar "the hall of stones, the earth", fjörgyn "plain of the
gods, the earth"
(from *fjörg-vin),
foldvegr "earth", aldaheimr "the world of
men", veröld "the
world".
OE:
eorðe "earth", folde "earth, soil", hrûse "earth, ground", molde "soil, earth", grund "ground, the earth",
middangeard "the
middle enclosure, the
world", þêodland
"folksland, the
world of people, the earth", gumena
rîce "kingdom of
men, the world", ymbhwyrft
"world, circuit", se
wlitebeorhta wang "the beautiful plain,
the earth", eardgeard
"earth-yard", eormengrund
"the wide world", woruldrîce
"the worldly kingdom", eorðrîce
"the earthly kingdom", folcwang
"folk-plain, the land of men, the
world", woruld
"the world, the
earth".
OS:
erða "earth", fold "earth, land", gard
"enclosure, the world", werold
"world", middilgard
"the middle
enclosure, the world", grôni
wang "the green
plain, the world", brêda
bûland
"the broad inhabited land, the earth", erð-rîki "the earthly
kingdom", werold-rîki "the
worldly kingdom".
b)
Sun, Moon,
Stars
ON:
sól "sun", sunna
"sun", álfröðull
"disc of the
elves, sun", eygló
"ever-glowing, the
sun", fagra hvél
"wheel of beauty, the sun", röðull
"sun, halo", himna skjöldr
"shield of the heavens, the sun", gullinn
hvél "the golden wheel, the sun", alskír
"the all-pure, the sun", eldr
himins "fire of
the heavens, the sun", eldr
lopts "fire
of the sky, the sun", himintarga
"the
heavenly round shield, the sun", brúðr
himins "bride of
the heavens, the sun", sinni
mána "mate
of the moon, the sun", systir
mána "sister of
the moon, the sun", leika
Dvalins
"the instrument of Dvalinn, the sun", heimsól
"the sun", máni
"the moon",
tungl "moon", mylinn "the moon", skin
"shine, the moon", skyndir
"the
hastening one, the moon", ártali
"reckoner of time, the moon", hverfanda
hvél "the turning
wheel, the moon", skýðir
"the moon", stjarna
"star".
OE:
sunne "the sun", sigel "star, sun", sôl
"the sun", swegl
"the sun",
heofonlêoma "the
light of the heavens, the
sun", swegles lêoma
"light of the heavens, the sun", swegles
lêoht "light of
the heavens, the
sun", heofones gim
"gem of the sky, the sun", swegles
gim "gem of the
sky, the sun", sweglcandel
"candle of the sky, the sun", heofoncandel
"candle of the heavens, the
sun", woroldcandel
"the world's
candle, the sun", môna
"the
moon", lyftfæt
"vessel of the sky,
the moon", steorra
"star", tungol
"star, heavenly body", rodortungol
"star of the heavens", heofontungol
"star of the heavens", heofonsteorra
"star", tungolgimm
"gem of the heavens, star".
OS:
sunna "the sun", himil-tungal
"heavenly body, star", sterro
"star", tungal
"star", heðan-tungal
"heavenly body, star", mâno
"moon".
c)
Wind,
Rain, Storm, Rainbow, Cloud
ON:
vindr "wind", æpir "screamer, that which
howls, the wind", dynfari
"the noisy traveller, wind", hviðuðr
"the stormy, wind", bani
viðar "bane
of branches, wind", vandar
jötunn "giant of
the boughs, wind", regn
"rain", skýja
grátr "tears of
the clouds, rain", stormr
"storm", kvistschadend
"ravager of boughs, storm", hríð
"storm, blizzard", ský
"cloud", skúrván
"expetaction of
shower, cloud", úrván
"expectation of
shower, cloud", vindflot
"floater in
the wind, cloud", veðrmegin
"weather-might, cloud".
OE:
blæst "blast,
gust", wind
"wind", regn
"rain", scûr
"rainshower", storm
"storm", wolcen
"cloud", heofonwolcen
"sky-cloud", lyftedor
"clouds", genip
"cloud,
mist".
OS:
wind "wind", regin
"rain", skûr
"rainshower", storm
"storm", wolkan
"cloud", himil-wolkan "cloud", wolkanskion
"overcast sky".
d)
Sky
ON:
himinn "heavens", hlyrnir "the sky", uppheimr
"upper-realm, sky", vindheimr
"realm of the wind, sky", vindker
"wind-vessel, sky", vindhjálmr
"wind-helm, sky", vindofnir
"wind-weaver, sky", land
sólar "land of the
sun, sky", sólar hjálmr
"helm of the sun, sky", röðulstjald
"tent of the sun, sky", sólborg
"stronghold of the sun, sky", mánasalr
"hall of the moon, sky", fuglvegr
"the bird's road, sky", logskrín
"chest of flame, sky", Ýmis
hauss "skull of
Ýmir, sky", skýdrúpnir
"cloud-Draupnir (i.e. cloud-ring,
orb; Draupnir was a magic gold ring
owned by Odin), sky", dynheimar
"realm of noise, the sky", vallræfr
"roof of the earth, sky", dags
höll
"hall of the day, sky", vinda
höll
"hall of the wind, sky", heimtjald
"tent of the world, sky", fold-salr "the earth's hall,
sky", sólar ból
"lair of the sun, sky", sólbryggja
"causeway of the sun, sky", sólhöll
"hall of the sun, sky", sólknörr
"ship of the sun, sky", sólrann
"hall of the sun, sky", sóltjald
"tent of the sun, sky", sólvangr
"plain of the sun, sky", tunglbryggja
"causeway of the moon, sky", skýja
tjald "tent of the clouds, sky", skýrann "house of the
clouds, sky", skýja skrín
"shrine of the clouds, sky", skýfold
"ground of the clouds, sky".
OE:
heofon "heavens", lyft "sky", rodor
"sky", swegl
"sky".
OS:
radur "sky,
heavens", himil
"sky", luft
"air, sky", heðan
"heavens", heðan-wang "plain of the
heavens, sky".
e)
Water
ON:
brunnr "well,
spring", floti
"fleet", flóð
"flood", vatn
"water", blóð bjargs
"blood of the hills, mountain stream", dreyri
jarðar "blood of
the earth,
groundwater", troll
jarðar "enemy of
the land, water", troll
elds
"enemy of fire, water", vangr
lýsu "fishes'
plain, water".
OE:
lagu "water, sea,
flood", wæter
"water, sea", mere
"lake, pool, sea", burn
"well; brook, water".
OS:
lagu "water,
flood", watar
"water", merî
"mere, flood", brunno
"spring,
water", flôd
"flood".
f)
Wood,
Forest
ON:
viðr "wood", eldi
"fuel, firewood", vallar
fax "mane of the
plain, wood, forest", jarðar
haddr
"the earth's hair, woodland", skógr
"wood, forest", mörk
"forest,
wood", holt
"wood, small
forest".
OE:
bearu "wood,
grove", holt
"wood, copse", holtwudu
"wood, copse", wuduholt
"forest", weald
"forest".
OS:
wald "wood,
forest", lôh
"wood, grove", holt
"wood".
g)
Mountain,
Cliffs, Hills
ON:
fjall, fell
"mountain, hill", bjarg,
berg "mountain,
large hill", klif
"cliff, steep hill".
OE:
beorg "hill", munt "mountain", hliþ
"hill, slope", hyll
"hill",
dûn "down,
mountain, hill", gebeorg
"hill, cliff", hlinc
"hill, ridge", clif
"cliff, crag".
OS:
berg "hill,
mountain", klif
"cliff", felis
"cliff, rock", stên-holm "rock".
7) Heathen cult, Germanic
Myth, Legend and Folklore
a)
Odin,
Woden
ON:
Friggjar angan
"the joy of Frigg" (Odin's wife), ása
bragr "greatest of
the Æsir", yggjungr
ása
"king of the Æsir", galdrs
faðir "father of
sorcery", Aldafaðir or Aldaföðr
"father of men", Grímnir
"the
masked one", Herföðr
or Herfaðir
"father of warriors", Herjafaðir
"father of warriors", Yggr
"frightening, fearful (one)" (stands
in umlaut relation to uggr
"fear"), Hróptr
(also Þróptr)
perhaps "slanderer, oath breaker"
(< vb. hrópa "slander,
defame"), hanga heimþingaðr
"visitor
of the hanged", Þundr
perhaps
"bow-bender" (Olsen; cf. modern Icelandic þundur
"bow"; the Odin-name Þunnr
probably also belongs here; Branston prefers "thunderer" but this
would apply better to Thor), Hníkarr, Hnikuðr
"one who incites to battle", Sigrhöfundr
"author of victory", hrafnaguð
"god
of ravens", hrafnfreistur
"tempter of
ravens", hrafnblóts
goði "heathen
priest of sacrifice to the
raven", hrafnáss
"god of the
raven", Jólnir (related
to jóln "gods"
(lit. yule-gods; from
Proto-Norse *jôlîna), valföðr "lord of the
slain", drauga dróttinn
"lord of the dead", Síðhöttr
"broad-hat", Höttr
"hat", Karl "old
man", Hárbarðr
"greybeard", Sigmundr
(after the
hero), Gizurr
(after the hero), Skilfingr
"shaker" (?) (ancestor of
Ynglingr; also means "prince, chief"), Fjölnir
"one who has many forms" or "the all-wise" (< Fjölsviðr), Bölverkr
"evil-doer", Vegtamr
"road-practised", Hangaguð
"god
of the hanged", Hangi
"hanged", Gautr
"father of the Goths" or
"Creator", Njótr
(possibly from OE
god Seaxneat or OS god Saxnot) or perhaps "user" <
njóta (used in many kennings to
denote Odin), Sigfaðir and Sigföðr "father of
victory", Sváfnir "giver
of sleep, slayer", Langbarðr
"long-beard", Arnhöfði
"eagle-headed", Bjarki
"small bear", Blindr
"blind", Tvíblindi
"double-blind", Báleygr
"fire-eyed", Háarr
(probably)
"one-eyed" (PN *haihahariR,
cf. Gothic haihs
"one-eyed"), Hávi
"the
tall", Síðskeggr
"long-beard", Jörmunr and Jörundr (a
later corruption) from "Earmanric", an ancient Germanic king (ON Jörmenrekr, OE Eormenrîc),
Hliðskjálfar harri "lord of
Hliðskjálf", Hliðskjálfar
gramr
"lord of Hliðskjálf", Hrosshársgrani
"horse-hair-beard", Jálkr
"gelding", Alföðr
"father of
all", gálga farmr
"the gallows burden", geirs
dróttinn "lord of
the spear", gálga
valdr
"lord of the gallows", Hangatýr
"god of the hanged", Gungnis
váfaðr "the shaker
of Gungnir" (Odin's
spear), hroptatýr
perhaps "the
slander-god", hropta rögna
perhaps
"the slander-god, slanderer among the gods", Hveðrungr
"one who storms, howls", Geirloðnir
"the hairy one with the spear", Geirölnir
"the one with spear on the forearm", Gunnblindi
"blinder in war", Farmaguð,
Farmatýr either
"god of trade" or more
likely a reference to the theft of the mead of poetry (de Vries), Valþögnir "receiver of the
chosen", valgautr
"slaughter-god", valtýr
"god of the slain", valkjósandi
"chooser of the slain", hengikeptr
"hinge-jaw", Grímr
"the masked one", Hléföðr
"renowned father", Hléfreyr
"renowned lord", Viðurr
"the adversary" or perhaps
"father of the weather-Geats" (OE Wederas),
hertýr "god of
warriors", aldagautr
"father of men", Unnr
either "the belligerent" (< vinna),
"the beloved" (< unna) or
"god of the people"
(< vinr) (de Vries), Ófnir "one who incites", Löndungr and Loðungr
"Odin" (explanations unsatisfactory), Síðir
"spell-caster", Siggautr
"victory-god",
Geiguðr "vagrant,
roamer" (Egilsson;
de Vries prefers to read "he who swung on the gallows"), fjallgeiguðr "roamer in
the mountains", Rögnir
"ruler (of the gods and the world)",
Herjann "lord of
battles, ruler", Valfaðir
"father of the slain", Glapsviðr
"the one skilled in beguilement",
Hergautr "god of
war", Herteitr
"battle-glad, lover of strife", Dresvarpr
(perhaps related to older Icelandic dres
"high spirits" or Danish
dialectal dræsel "battle"
(de Vries)), Svegðir,
Sveigðir "one who bends (others to his will)" (from sveigja "bow, bend"; de Vries
reads the second element as þér
"servant"), Rögnhroptr
perhaps
"slander-lord of the gods" or "divine slanderer", Kjalarr literally "keel"
perhaps with
original meaning "nurturer" (see de Vries), Sigtýr
"god of victory", Bileygr
"the
weak-eyed", Hár
"High One", gagn-ráðr "he
who counsels victory (in battle)", Jafnhárr
"equally high", Veratýr
"god of
men", Hangadróttinn
"lord of the
hanged", Hörðr
"the hard", Brúni,
Brúnn either
"the brown" or "the god with the bushy brow" (de Vries), Þriggi "the triune", Tveggi "double,
hermaphrodite", Jólfr
(lit.) "horse-wolf" (< Gmic.*ehwa-wulfaz; de Vries), Viðhrímnir
"the screaming adversary", Sigðir
apparently segi "strip of
meat" + þér "servant"
(de Vries); meaning unclear, Þrór
"the
thriving, flourishing" (< þróast
"thrive, flourish"), Ýrungr
perhaps
related to Nynorsk yrja "swarm,
teem", yr "elated, giddy,
ectastic", Swedish yr
"wild", yra "delirium,
frenzy" (de Vries), dróttinn
foldar "lord
of the earth", Viðrir
"ruler of the
weather", Dörruðr
"spear-warrior" (< *darr-höðr (de Vries)), Jalfaðr and Jölfuðr
"bear" (de Vries), Gangleri
"the
travel-weary" (second element related to løra
"incompetent person, wretch" (de Vries), Gapþrosnir
from gapi
"magic symbol" and either i) þrosnir
(< *-þrosknir < þroskast "grow to full age")
or ii) modern Icelandic þrusk
"noise, din" (de Vries); Egilsson reads the first element as
"man with stupid appearance", Síðgrani
"the one with drooping moustache", Atriðr
"rider into battle", Sviðurr,
Sviðuðr and Sviðrir
are probably related to svíða
"smart, sting; burn, singe" with a meaning of "spear-god",
cf. modern Icelandic svíða
"smart, sting; burn", New Norwegian svide
"burn, scorch, smart, sting" (de Vries), Gangráðr
"the wanderer, traveller", Lóðurs
vinr "friend of Lóðurr" (a minor
god), Lopts vinr
"friend of Loptr
(Loki)", Svipall
"the one with
shifting appearance", Svipdagr
(apparently) "the one with countenance clear as day", Óðinn "Odin", Vóden
"Odin" (called this by Snorri in his Edda
- does not exhibit characteristic Scandinavian loss of
intitial w-), Hjálmberi "helmet bearer",
Þekkr
"much loved", Þriði
"third", Helblindi
"the one who
brings the blindness of death" (Egilsson), Sanngetall
"truthful", Fjölsviðr "wide
in
wisdom", Óski
"god of wishes", Göndlir
"staff-bearer", Vakr
"wakeful", Váfuðr
either "he who dangled on Yggdrasill" or "wind-god" (de
Vries), Ómi most
commemtators see a derivative
formed from ómun "sound,
voice" and the name is then interpreted as "shouter, crier" or
"the noisy one", with Egilsson prefering the subtler meaning of
"distant sound-maker" through a different interpretation of ómun, Goðjaðarr
"prince of the gods, Odin", Hövi
"the high one", Gestumblindi
a
development of Gest-inn-Blinda
referring to Odin's wanderings and his one-eyed vision, Rauðgrani "red-beard", böðvar
Týr "god of the battle", Þróttr
"power, strength" (cf. ON þróttr
"strength, might, valour").
OE:
Woden "furious
one" (cf. OE wôd "senseless, mad,
furious"), Grim "masked
one,
Woden" [found in English place-names for massive prehistoric
earthworks].
OS:
Wodan, Wôden
"furious one, Woden" (cf. OS wôdian
"rage, storm, rave").
b)
Thor,
Thunor
ON:
Óðins sunr
"Odin's son", Yggs
barn "Yggr's son"
(i.e. Odin's son), Jarþar
burr "son
of the earth", Magna
faðir "father of
Magni", faðir Móða
"father of Móða", Sifjar
verr "Sif's man", brjótr
bergdana "breaker
of giants", hafra
dróttinn
"lord of the he-goats", gýgjar
grøtir "sorrower
of giantesses", Véurr and Véuðr (perhaps
from *vé-vörr
with the second element from verja
"defend, protect", cf. runic Swedish uiauari
"guardian of the
temple" (Egilsson suggests "protector" or "ruler") or
same as runic Danish wigiþonar
<
*wihi-þonraR
"consecration-Thor" (de Vries)), hinn
almáttki áss "the almighty god", Herþrumu Gautr "the god of
battle-thunder",
Vignir and Vingnir cf.
Vingþórr (de Vries suggests relation
to Icelandic vingla "confuse,
make giddy, swim around" and therefore something like
"swinger"), Vingþórr (de
Vries
suggests the first element may be a corrupted form of PN wîhaR
"warrior", although other explanations have been
put forward), hafra njótr
"user of
goats", Ása bragr
"foremost of the
Æsir, Thor", ótti jötna "terror
of
the giants", einheri
"lone
warrior" (cf. the ON name Einarr
with the same meaning), Öku-Þórr meaning unclear -
first element is from aka "drive,
convey", alda bergr
"defence of men, Thor", Ásaþórr
"Æsir-Thor",
Þunnarr (an older
form of Þórr), karms Týr "god of the
chariot".
OE:
Þunor "Thunor", Þûr, Þôr "Thor"
(a loan of the Norse form).
OS:
Thunar "Thunor".
c)
Frey and
Freyja
ON:
bani Belja
"slayer of Beli", Njarðar
burr "son of
Njörðr", ása jaðarr
"protector of the gods", Yngvi
"father of the Ynglings", Yngvi-Freyr
"Freyr", Fólkvaldi
goða "general of
the gods, the gods' leader in
battle", Atriði
"rider into battle,
Freyr", veraldar goð
"god of the world, Freyr", blótguð
svía "sacrificial
god of the Swedes", svíagoð
"the god of the Swedes", inn
fróði "the fruitful (one), Frey", Óðs mær "girl of
Óð", Njarðar dóttir
"daughter of Njörðr", Sýr
"sow,
Freyja", Vanadís
"goddess of the
Vanir", Vanabrúðr
"bride of the
Vanir", Hörn "Freyja",
Marðöll "Freyja",
Gefn
"giver, Freyja".
d)
Týr/Tîw,
Heimdallr, Viðarr, Njörðr, Loki, Baldr
ON:
áttniðr jötna
"kin of the giants, Týr", hinn
einhendi áss
"the one-handed god, Týr", vörðr
goða "watchman of
the gods, Heimdallr", hvítastr
ása
"brightest of the Æsir, Heimdallr", hvíti
áss "the shining god, Heimdallr", Gullintanni
"golden-toothed, Heimdallr", Hallinskíði
"the one with inclined stick, Heimdallr", Vindlér
(perhaps) "defender against the wind, Heimdallr", mögr Sigföður
"son of Odin, Viðarr", manna
þengill "prince of
men, Njörðr", bróðir
Býleists
"brother of Býleistr, Loki", úlfs
faðir "father of
the wolf, Loki", Laufeyjar
sonr
"son of Laufey, Loki", Loptr
probably
"sky-traveller, Loki" (this view, supported by Egilsson, is rejected
by de Vries), ráðbani Baldrs
"contriver of
Balder's death, Loki", farmr
Sigynjar
"burden of Sigyn's arms, Loki", lögseims
faðir "father of the rope of the ocean, Loki" (the "rope
of the ocean" is the Midgard-Serpent), rógbera
"slander-bearer, Loki", Hveðrungr
"one who storms, howls, Loki", blóðgum
tívur
"the blood-stained god, Baldr", blóðugr
tívurr "the bloody god, Baldr".
OE:
Tîw "Tiw", Tîg
"Tiw".
e)
God,
Deity, Divinity, Gods and related
ON:
týr "heathen god"
(an archaic, poetic word;
cf. Týr), áss
"heathen god, one of the Æsir",
guð, goð
"god, God", vanr
"one of the Vanir", goðdómr,
guðdómr "godhead,
divinity", áskunnigr,
goðkunnigr
"related, akin to the gods", ásmegin
"divine might of the gods", ásmegir
"sons of the gods", ásynja
"goddess", goðheimr
"world of
the gods", Ásgarðr
"dwelling of the
gods (Æsir), Asgard", goðmögn "the divine
powers, deities", goðagremi,
goðareiði
"wrath of the gods", goðþjóð
"god-folk, the gods", goðmálugr
"skilled in the gods' lore", goðaheill
"favour of the gods", goðvegr
"way of the gods", regin
"the
ruling powers, the gods", rögn
"the
gods", reginkunnigr
"sprung from the
gods, divine", tívar
"the gods"
(plural of týr
above), regindómr
"divinity, godhead", tívurr
"heathen god", ásafolk
"the Æsir", ásaheimr
"the dwelling, world of the gods", ásaætt
"the kin, race of the gods", goðagæfi
"gift of the gods", goðmagn
"divinity, divine power", guðdómsafl,
guðdómskrapt
"divine power", blótguð
"sacrificial god".
OE:
god "god, deity,
God", ôs "god"
(cf. ON áss),
godcundnes
"divinity", godmægen
"god-main, divinity", gyden
"goddess".
OS:
god "god, God", ôs "god", godkundi
"divinity, deity".
f)
Temple, Shrine,
Heathen Priest, Heathen, Idol, Idolatry, Sacrifice
ON:
goðahús "heathen
temple", hof
"heathen temple", hofstaðr
"sanctuary", blóthof
"sacrificial, heathen temple", blóthús
"sacrificial, heathen temple", goðastúka
"altar room in a heathen temple",
blóthörgr
"sacrifical stone altar, sacred
sacrificial spot", blótlundr
"sacrificial grove", blótskógr
"sacrificial forest", blótstaðr
"place of sacrifice", blótstallr
"sacrificial altar", blótveizla
"sacrificial banquet", blótvöllr
"sacrificial plain", hörgr
"stone altar, heathen shrine", vé
"heathen shrine", blótkelda
"sacrificial well", blóthaugr
"sacrificial mound", blót
"sacrifice; idol", blótan, blótnaðr "sacrificing,
idolatry", blótbiskup
"sacrificial bishop, heathen
priest", blótgoði
"heathen sacrificing
priest", blótgyðja
"heathen
sacrificing priestess", goði
"heathen
priest", hofgoði
"temple
priest", hofgyðja
"temple
priestess", hofprestr
"heathen
priest", blótkennimaðr
"one skilled
in the blót, heathen priest", blótkona "idolatress", hofhelgr "temple feast", hofseiðr "temple oath", blótmaðr "one who
sacrifices, idolater", blótskapr
"heathen worship, idolatry;
sacrifice", blótfé
"goods or cattle
used in sacrifice", blótskaparefni
"thing used as an idol", hofsbrot
"destruction of a heathen temple", blótskapartími
"heathen times, the pre-Christian period", heiðingi
"heathen man" (also "wolf"), heiðinn
"heathen, pagan", heiðni
"heathenism", djöflablót
"sacrifice to devils, idolatry, heathenism".
OE:
ealh "shrine", ealhstede
"temple", wîg
"shrine, sacred
spot; idol", hearg
"hill
sanctuary", tempel
"temple", scrîn
"shrine", wîgsteall
"sanctuary", hof
"temple,
sanctuary" (also "house, hall, dwelling"), heargtræf "heathen
temple", heargweard
"hearg-ward,
heathen priest", wîggild
"idol",
wîgweorðung
"idolatry", gedwolgod
"idol", dêofolgield
"worship of the devil, idolatry", godgield
"worship of a heathen god, idol", dwolðing
"idol", dêofolgielda
"one who
pays the devil, idolater", dêofolscipe
"idolatry", dêofolcræft
"idolatry; witchcraft", dwolcræft
"occult, magic", scucagield
"idol", hæðendôm
"paganism,
heathendom", hæðenfeoh
"heathen
sacrifice", hæðengield
"idolatry;
idol", hæðengielda
"idolater,
heathen", hæðennes
"paganism,
heathendom", hæðenscipe
"heathen
belief, paganism", hæðen
"heathen, pagan
man", offrung
"sacrifice", offrian
"to sacrifice", offrunghûs
"house of sacrifice", dêofolgieldhûs
"idol-shrine", blôt
"heathen sacrifice", blôtan
"to sacrifice", blôtere
"sacrificer", blôtung
"sacrificing", blôtorc
"sacrificial vessel", blôtmônaþ
"month of sacrifice".
OS:
rukud "temple", alah
"shrine", wîh
"shrine", tempel
"temple", hêðinnussa
"paganism, heathendom", wîh-rôk "temple incense", wîh-stedi
"shrine, temple".
g)
Giant(s),
Giantess, Troll, Dwarves, Elves, Goblins, Sprites and Monsters
ON:
jötunn "giant", hveðrungr "giant", risi
"giant", þurs
"giant", bergbúi
"mountain-dweller, giant", bergdanir
"mountain-dwellers, giantfolk", hraunbúi
"dwellers of the lava-plains,
giants", bjarga gætir
"guardians of the mountains, giants", áttrunnr
apa "kin of the
apes, giants", bergrísi
"mountain giant", hrímþurs
"frost giant", vignir
"giant", bergjarl
"rock-earl, giant", hafli
"giant", gríðr
"giantess", gýgr
"giantess", hála
"giantess", brúðr
jötuns "bride of a
giant, giantess", flagð
"giantess", troll-karl "troll, giant", troll-menni "a
giant-like man, troll", troll-kerling "female troll,
giantess" (also
"a woman who cultivates magic"), troll-kona "female troll,
giantess" (also "a
woman who cultivates magic"), dwergr
"dwarf", álfr
"elf, fairy",
álfakyn "the race
of elves", álfkona
"elven woman", álfkunnigr
"akin to the elves", púki
"devil, fiend".
OE:
ent "giant", þyrs
"giant", eoten
"giant,
ogre", eotena cyn
"the race of
giants", eotenisc
"giant-like, of the
giants", enta geweorc
"the work of
giants", dweorg
"dwarf", ælf
"elf, fairy", ælfcynn
"the race of elves", ælfen
"fairy, sprite", ylfe
"elves", wuduælfen "wood-elf",
sæælfen "sea-elf",
pûca, pûcel
"goblin", scucca
"sprite, evil
demon", grîma
"ghost", âglæca
"monster, dragon", egesa
"monster", fîfel
"sea-monster", fîfelcyn
"race of
sea-monsters".
OS:
thuris
“giant”, eton
“giant”, gi-dwerg
“dwarf”.
h)
Valkyrie(s),
Witch(es), Wizard(s)
ON:
valkyrja
"warrioress, valkyrie", alvítr
"unearthly sprite, valkyrie", fólkvítr
"battle sprite, valkyrie", hjálmvítr
"helmeted sprite, valkyrie", hjálmvættr
"helmeted sprite, valkyrie", sárvítr
"wound-sprite, valkyrie", óskmær
"wish-maiden, valkyrie", sigrdrifa
"decider of victory, valkyrie", valmær
"maiden of the slain, valkyrie", geirönul
"one who carries the spear on the
forearm, valkyrie", geirþriful
"spear-valkyrie", geirdriful
"valkyrie", geirskögul
"spear-valkyrie", valþögn
"receiver of the slain, valkyrie", gefn
"giver (i.e. to Odin), valkyrie", randgríðr
"shield bearer, valkyrie", Þögn
"receiver (of the slain), valkyrie", Skögul
"raging one, valkyrie", kveldriða
"evening-rider, witch", myrkriða
"rider in the darkness, witch", túnriða
"one who rides over the settlements, witch", herjans
dís "Odin's dís,
valkyrie", Herjans dísir
"Odin's dísir, valkyries", valdrós "maid of
slaughter, valkyrie", valfreyja
"lady of slaughter, valkyrie", valgrindar
Gefn "woman at the gates of
Vallhalla, valkyrie", fólk-Rán "plunderer of battle,
valkyrie", sverðman
"sword-woman, valkyrie", geirfljóð
"spear-woman, valkyrie", skjaldar
hrund "shield-maiden, valkyrie", sigrfljóð "victory-lady,
valkyrie", sigrmær
"victory-maiden, valkyrie", skratti
"wizard, warlock", skratta-karl
"evil sorcerer, wizard", seið-skratti "wizard", seið-berandi "bearer of magic,
wizard, sorcerer",
seið-kona
"a woman who cultivates magic arts, witch", seið-maðr "a man who cultivates
magic arts,
wizard", galdra-kind
"evil witch", galdra-kona "a woman who
cultivates magic arts,
witch", galdra-kerling
"an old woman who cultivates magic arts, witch", galdra-maðr "a
man who cultivates magic arts, wizard", galdra-raumr "a troll-like person
who practises magic,
great sorcerer", galdra-smiðr "a master of magic,
sorcerer", galdra-karl "a
man who cultivates magic, wizard", galdra-skjóða "wizzened old
sorceress, old hag,
witch", fordæða
"witch", fordæðu-maðr
"wizard, sorcerer", vígglóðr
"witch".
OE:
wicca "warlock", wicce "witch", hægtesse
"witch", drýecge
"sorceress", hætse
"witch",
wælcyrige
"sorceress", drýmann
"wizard, sorcerer", wiglere
"wizard", dêofolwîtga
"phrophet of the devil, wizard, magician".
i)
Poetry,
Poem
ON:
skáldskapr
"scald-ship, poetry", skip
dverga "ship of the dwarves, poetry", Yggs full
"vessel of Yggr, poetry", Óðins
mjöðr "mead of
Odin, poetry", Kvásis
dreyri
"blood of Kvásir, poetry", jötna
mjöðr "mead of the
giants, poetry", gjöf
Óðins "gift
of Odin, poetry", hinn dýri
mjöðr "the
beloved mead, poetry", Óðins
ægir
"the sea of Odin, poetry", Viðurs
þýfi
"the theft of Viður, poetry", Gauta
gildi
"the feast of Gauti, poetry", arnar
kjapta
örð "seed of the eagle's bill, poetry", helga full Hrafnásar "holy
cup of the Raven-god
(i.e. Odin), poetry", Gillings
gjöld
"the weregild for Gilling, poetry", dverga
drykkja "drink of the dwarves, poetry", Yggs mjöðr "the mead of
Yggr, poetry", Grímnis gjöf
"the gift of Grímnir, poetry"
(Grímnir is an Odin-name), Surts ættar sylgr "the
drink of the kin of
Surtr, poetry", dvergregn
"rain of
the dwarves, the scaldic mead, poetry", Dvalins
full "the vessel of Dvalinn, poetry", óðr
"poetry", Herjans hróðr
"the
praise of Odin, poetry", bragr
"poetry", Óðins drykkr "the
drink of Odin, poetry", Óðins
lögr
"the water of Odin, poetry", óðgjörð
"lyrical construction, poetry", ljóð
"poem, song", ljóðagørð
"the
making of lays, poetry; poem".
OE:
lêoþcræft
"song-skill, poetry", lêoþweorc
"song-work, poetry", wordcræft
"word-craft, poetry", scopcræft
"poetry", leôþwîse
"poetry", lêoþsang
"poem", lêoþwrence
"poem".
A
Concise Anglo-Saxon Dictionary
by John R.
Clark-Hall, University Toronto Press, Toronto, 1960;
A Concise Dictionary of Old Icelandic
by Geir T. Zoëga, Oxford U.P., 1922;
A Dictionary of Selected Synonyms in
the Principal Indo-European Languages by Carl
Darling Buck, London:
University of Chicago Press, 1988;
A Grouped Frequency Wordlist of
Anglo-Saxon Poetry by John F. Madden &
Francis P. Magoun, Harvard
OE Series, Harvard U.P., 1967;
Altenglisches etymologisches
Wörterbuch by Ferdinand Holthausen, Heidelberg:
Carl Winter
Universitätsverlag, 1974;
Altgermanische Religionsgeschichte
by Jan de Vries, 2 vols., Berlin: Walter de Gruyter & Co., 1970;
Altnordisches Etymologisches
Wörterbuch by Jan de Vries, Zweite verbesserte
Auflage, Leiden: Brill,
2000;
Altsächsisches Elementarbuch
by Ferdinand Holthausen, Heidelberg: Carl Winter Verlag, 1921;
Altsächsische Grammatik
by
Johan H. Gallée, Max Niemeyer Verlag, Tübingen, 1993;
Altsächsisches
Wörterbuch
by Ferdinand Holthausen, Köln: Böhlau
Verlag, 1967;
De Oudgermaansche Dichtertaal in haar
Ethnologisch Verband by Alberta J. Portengen,
Leiden, 1915;
Gods and Myths of Northern Europe
by H.R. Ellis Davidson, London: Penguin Books, 1964;
Gods of the North
by Brian
Branston, London: Thames and Hudson, 1980;
Hêliand, nebst den Bruchstücken der
altsächsischen Genesis by Moritz Heyne, Paderborn,
1905;
Íslensk Orðabók
by Árni
Böðvarsson, Mál og Menning, Reykjavík, 1996;
Kurzer Grundriss der germanischen
Philologie bis 1500: (Band 1 Sprachgeschicte), by
Schmitt, L.E. (ed.),
Berlin: Walter de Gruyter & Co., 1970;
Myth and Religion of the North
by E.O.G. Turville-Petre, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1964;
Norrøn Ordbok by
Leiv
Heggstad, Finn Hødnebø & Erik Simensen, Det Norske Samlaget,
Oslo, 1997;
Ordbog over det norsk-islandske
Skjaldesprog by Sveinbjörn Egilsson, 2. udgave ved
Finnur Jónsson, København:
S.L. Møllers Bogtrykkeri, 1931;
Sprachschatz der Angelsächsischen
Dichter by C.M.W. Grein, Carl Winters
Universitätsbuchhandlung,
Heidelberg, 1912;
Wordcraft: Concise Dictionary and
Thesaurus Modern English-Old English by Steve
Pollington, Anglo-Saxon
Books, Norfolk, 1993;
Word-Hoard: An Introduction to Old
English Vocabulary by Stephen A. Barney, Yale U.P.,
New Haven, 1985;
*
Credits:
many thanks go to Reinhard "Ron" Hahn for his
invaluable
assistance in determining those OS words which survived into Middle Low
Saxon
and modern Low Saxon, as well as Elías Halldór Ágústsson,
Guðjón
Torfi Sigurðsson and Guðmundur Skarphéðinsson,
who gave superb help
in unravelling the literal and figurative meanings of some the more
obscure ON
compounds, as well as some Óðinsheiti.
© Edward Smith 2011.