Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Hý-nótt

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

1 definitions

1 hý-nótt

f. [hjú], the ‘wedding-nights,’ i. e. the three nights either just before or rather just after the wedding (Skm. 42): that they were three is stated in Fas. i. 250 (in a verse), where hýjar-nætr = hýnætr seems to be the true reading; the same number is hinted at in the Skm. l. c.,—hve um þreyjak ‘þrjár.’ May not the Engl. honeymoon be derived from this old word, qs. hýnóttar mánuðr = the wedding-night month?

Similar Words

Runic Inscription

hý-nótt

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

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

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

Engl: English.
Engl.: English.
f.: feminine.
gl: glossary.
gl.: glossary.
i. e.: id est.
l.: Linnæus.
l. c.: loco citato.
m.: masculine.
qs.: quasi.

Works & Authors

Fas.: Fornaldar Sögur. (C. II.)
Skm.: Skírnis-mál. (A. I.)

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