Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Gíslar

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

2 definitions

1 gíslar

f. pl. sureties, securities; hann tók gíslar af honum ok bóndum, Eg. 589; hann tók gíslir (v. 1. gíslar, gísla) af bóndum, Fms. ix. 313, 409, passim; gísla (the persons) and gíslar (the things) are often used indiscriminately.

2 gíslar

II. metaph. security, guard, in the phrase, setja gíslar fyrir, to guard, secure (vide gísl II); Hjalti bað hann gæta sín, ok setja þær gíslar fyrir sem honum þætti vænst at þeim mundi duga, Sturl. iii. 7; þá var svá gíslum skipat fyrir at á Heiðmörk vóru áttján skip í Mjörs, Fms. viii. 45.

Similar Words

Runic Inscription

gíslar

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

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

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

f.: feminine.
id: idem, referring to the passage quoted or to the translation
l.: Linnæus.
metaph.: metaphor, metaphorical.
pl.: plural.
v.: vide, verb.

Works & Authors

Eg.: Egils Saga. (D. II.)
Fms.: Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)
Sturl.: Sturlunga Saga. (D. I.)

View All Sources →