Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Dauðr

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

4 definitions

1 dauðr

adj. [Ulf. dauþs; A. S. deâd; Engl. dead; Germ. todt; Dan. död]:—dead, Grág. i. 140, Nj. 19; the phrase, verða d., to become dead, i. e. to die, 238, Jb. ch. 3, Am. 98; d. verðr hverr (a proverb), Fs. 114 (in a verse); falla niðr d., Fms. viii. 55: metaph. eccl., 623. 32, Hom. 79, 655 xiv. A; dauð trúa, Greg. 13, James ii. 17, Pass. 4. 33.

2 dauðr

2. inanimate, in the law phrase dautt fé, K. Á. 204.

3 dauðr

β. medic. dead, of a limb.

4 dauðr

3. compds denoting manner of death, sæ-dauðr, vápn-dauðr, sótt-dauðr; sjálf-dauðr, of sheep or cattle, — svidda, q. v.: again, hálf-dauðr, half dead; al-dauðr, quite dead; stein-dauðr, stone-dead; the old writers prefer to use andaðr or látinn, and in mod. use dáinn is a gentler term, used of a deceased friend; daudr sounds rude and is scarcely used except of animals; in like manner Germ. say abgelebt.

Similar Words

Runic Inscription

dauðr

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

The runic text above represents the Old Norse word "dauðr" as it might appear in runic inscriptions from the Viking Age (c. 800-1100 CE).

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

A. S.: Anglo-Saxon.
adj: adjective.
adj.: adjective.
ch: chapter.
ch.: chapter.
Dan: Danish.
Dan.: Danish.
eccl: ecclesiastical.
eccl.: ecclesiastical.
Engl: English.
Engl.: English.
f.: feminine.
Germ: German.
Germ.: German.
gl: glossary.
gl.: glossary.
i. e.: id est.
id: idem, referring to the passage quoted or to the translation
l.: Linnæus.
m.: masculine.
medic.: medicinally.
metaph.: metaphor, metaphorical.
mod: modern.
mod.: modern.
n.: neuter.
q. v.: quod vide.
S.: South, Southern.
Ulf.: Ulfilas.
v.: vide, verb.

Works & Authors

Am.: Auðunnar-máldagi. (J. I.)
Fms.: Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)
Fs.: Forn-sögur. (D. II.)
Grág.: Grágás. (B. I.)
Greg.: Gregory. (F. II.)
Hom.: Homiliu-bók. (F. II.)
Jb.: Jóns-bók. (B. III.)
K. Á.: Kristinn-réttr Árna biskups. (B. III.)
Nj.: Njála. (D. II.)
Pass.: Passiu-Sálmar.

View All Sources →