Old Norse Dictionary Entry

KNÍFR

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

2 definitions

1 KNÍFR

m., mod. hnífr; [Dan. kniv; Swed. knif; Engl. knife]:—a knife or dirk, such as the ancients wore fastened to their belts; and so a knife with a belt is freq. mentioned as a gift; the handles of these knives or dirks were neatly carved of walrus’ tusks; see Landn. l. c., Sks. l. c., Am. 55, 59, Gþl. 164, Eg. 210, N. G. L. i. 39, Bs. i. 385; kníf ok belli, Nj. 73, Fs. 98: metaph. in the phrase, kaupa um knífa, to exchange knives, to change one’s state, Korm. 238; skar Tjörfi þau á knífsskepti sínu, T. carved their images on his knives’ handles, Landn. 248; hafa þeir hvalir tennr ekki stærri en göra má mjök stór knífa-hepti af, Sks. 127.

2 KNÍFR

COMPDS: knífadúkr, knífsblað, knífsegg, knífshepti, knífsoddr, knífsskapt.

Similar Words

Runic Inscription

KNÍFR

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

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

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

ch: chapter.
Dan: Danish.
Dan.: Danish.
Engl: English.
Engl.: English.
freq: frequent, frequently.
freq.: frequent, frequently.
gl: glossary.
gl.: glossary.
l.: Linnæus.
l. c.: loco citato.
m.: masculine.
metaph.: metaphor, metaphorical.
mod: modern.
mod.: modern.
n.: neuter.
Swed: Swedish.
Swed.: Swedish.

Works & Authors

Am.: Auðunnar-máldagi. (J. I.)
Bs.: Biskupa Sögur. (D. III.)
Eg.: Egils Saga. (D. II.)
Fs.: Forn-sögur. (D. II.)
Gþl.: Gulaþings-lög. (B. II.)
Korm.: Kormaks Saga. (D. II.)
Landn.: Landnáma. (D. I.)
N. G. L.: Norges Gamle Love. (B. II.)
Nj.: Njála. (D. II.)
Sks.: Konungs Skugg-sjá. (H. II.)

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