Old Norse Dictionary Entry

þerna

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

2 definitions

1 þerna

u, f. a tern or sea-swallow, sterna hirundo, Grág. ii. 347, Edda (Gl.); spá-þerna, Hkr. i. (in a verse), and in mod. usage: in the local name þern-ey, near Reykjavík.

2 þerna

II. a servant, [Dan. tærne; quite a different word, akin to þirr]:—a maid-servant, Stj. 138, 172, 616, and so in mod. usage.

Similar Words

Runic Inscription

þerna

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

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

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

Dan: Danish.
Dan.: Danish.
f.: feminine.
id: idem, referring to the passage quoted or to the translation
l.: Linnæus.
loc: local, locally.
mod: modern.
mod.: modern.
n.: neuter.

Works & Authors

Edda: Edda. (C. I.)
Grág.: Grágás. (B. I.)
Hkr.: Heimskringla. (E. I.)
Stj.: Stjórn. (F. I.)

View All Sources →