Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Greifi

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

1 definitions

1 greifi

a, m. [A. S. gerêfa; Engl. reeve (shire-reeve = sheriff); Germ. graf; the word is not Scandin., and for the etym. see Grimm’s Rechts-alterth. 752 sqq.]:—an earl, count; Edda 93 states that gerêfas in Saxony (i. e. Germany), barons in England (after the Conquest), and lendir menn in Norway are all synonymous; Nj. 157, Fms. vii. 59, 60, Mar. passim: Stj., Al., and Róm. render Lat. praefectus by greifi: as a nickname, Bs. i. 555. greifa-dómr, m. an earldom, county, Ann. 216, Stj.

Similar Words

Runic Inscription

greifi

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

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

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

A. S.: Anglo-Saxon.
ch: chapter.
Engl: English.
Engl.: English.
etym.: etymology.
Germ: German.
Germ.: German.
gl: glossary.
gl.: glossary.
i. e.: id est.
l.: Linnæus.
Lat: Latin.
Lat.: Latin.
m.: masculine.
n.: neuter.
S.: South, Southern.
Scandin.: Scandinavia, Scandinavian.

Works & Authors

Al.: Alexanders Saga. (G. I.)
Ann.: Íslenzkir Annálar. (D. IV.)
Bs.: Biskupa Sögur. (D. III.)
Edda: Edda. (C. I.)
Fms.: Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)
Mar.: Maríu Saga. (F. III.)
Nj.: Njála. (D. II.)
Róm.: Rómverja Saga. (E. II.)
Stj.: Stjórn. (F. I.)

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