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Old Norse Dictionary Entry

FÍLL

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Definitions

Definitions

2 definitions

1 FÍLL

m. [early Swed. and Dan. fil], an elephant; this interesting word, which is still in exclusive use in Icel., was borrowed from the Persian fil, and came to Scandinavia in early times, probably by the eastern road of trade through Russia and Constantinople; it occurs in a verse of the 10th century (Fb. i. 209), the genuineness of which may be doubtful, but at all events the word is old; freq. in Al., Stj., Flóv., and romances. But úlfaldi, Goth. ulbandus, A. S. olfend or olvend, a corruption of the Gr. ελέφαντ-, means camel.

2 FÍLL

COMPDS: fílsbein, fílstönn.
Similar Words

Similar Words

Runic Inscription

Runic Inscription

FÍLL

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

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

Abbreviations Used

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

A. S.
Anglo-Saxon.
ch
chapter.
Dan
Danish.
Dan.
Danish.
freq
frequent, frequently.
freq.
frequent, frequently.
Goth.
Gothic.
Gr.
Greek.
Icel
Iceland, Icelander, Icelanders, Icelandic.
Icel.
Iceland, Icelander, Icelanders, Icelandic.
l.
Linnæus.
m.
masculine.
n.
neuter.
prob
probable, probably.
S.
South, Southern.
Swed
Swedish.
Swed.
Swedish.
v.
vide, verb.

Works & Authors

Al.
Alexanders Saga. (G. I.)
Fb.
Flateyjar-bók (E. I.)
Flóv.
Flóvents Saga. (G. II.)
Stj.
Stjórn. (F. I.)

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