Snakkr

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Snakkr

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

1 snakkr

m. [akin to snákr, a snake], a snake-formed imp, as described in popular superstition, made of a man’s rib swaddled in wool; then under a wizard’s spell, it was sent out to suck the ewes and cows of his neighbours and to bring home the milk to his master or mistress; butter made of this milk (snakk-smér) breaks up if marked with a cross; the snakkr is also called til-beri (q. v.), Maurer’s Volksagen. There is a similar legend among the Finns, who call the imp ‘para,’ see Ihire’s Diet, and Castren’s Finn. Mythol.

Runic Inscription

ᛋᚾᛅᚴᚴᚱ

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

gen.
genitive.
l.
Linnæus.
m.
masculine.
n.
neuter.
q. v.
quod vide.
v.
vide, verb.

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