Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Mara

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

1 definitions

1 mara

u, f. [Engl. night-mare; akin to merja = to crush]:—the night-mare, an ogress; en er hann hafði lítt sofnat, kallaði hann ok sagði at mara trað hann, menn hans fóru til, ok vildu hjálpa honum, en er þeir tóku uppi til höfuðsins þá trað hón fótleggina svá at nær brotnnðu. þá tóku þeir til fótanna, þá kafði hón höfuðit, svá at þar dó hann, Hkr. i. 20; the word also occurs in one of Kormak’s verses; it is freq. in mod. usage.

Similar Words

Runic Inscription

mara

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

The runic text above represents the Old Norse word "mara" 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.
freq: frequent, frequently.
freq.: frequent, frequently.
gl: glossary.
gl.: glossary.
l.: Linnæus.
mod: modern.
mod.: modern.
part: participle.
part.: participle.
pres.: present.
pret.: preterite.
subj.: subjunctive.

Works & Authors

Bs.: Biskupa Sögur. (D. III.)
Fas.: Fornaldar Sögur. (C. II.)
Hkr.: Heimskringla. (E. I.)

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