Vala

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Vala

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

1 vala

u, f. the rolling knuckle-bone, Lat. talus, Gr. ἀστράγαλος; in Icel. these bones are dried and used for winding clews of yarn (þráðar-vala); in the old heathen times they seem to have been used for fortune-telling, whence the compds, völu-brjótr, m. a knuckle-breaker, a nickname, Sd.: völu-spakr, adj. ‘knuckle-wise’ prophetic (?), Edda (in a verse): völu-mæltr, adj. talking thick, as if with a knuckle-bone rolling in one’s mouth: hvel-vala, a rolling pebble, Þd. (poët.)

2 vala

II. the name of a dog; vappaðu með mér, vala … keyrðu féð í hala, a ditty.

Runic Inscription

ᚢᛅᛚᛅ

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

adj
adjective.
adj.
adjective.
f.
feminine.
Gr.
Greek.
Icel
Iceland, Icelander, Icelanders, Icelandic.
Icel.
Iceland, Icelander, Icelanders, Icelandic.
l.
Linnæus.
Lat
Latin.
Lat.
Latin.
m.
masculine.
mod
modern.
mod.
modern.
poët.
poetical, poetically.
prop
properly.

Works & Authors

Barl.
Barlaams Saga. (F. III.)
Edda
Edda. (C. I.)
Hom.
Homiliu-bók. (F. II.)
Sd.
Svarfdæla Saga. (D. II.)
Þd.
Þórs-drápa. (A. I.)

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