Old Norse Dictionary Entry

ú-svifr

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

2 definitions

1 ú-svifr

(not úsvífr), adj. (the r is radical); [the latter part, which only exists in this and the following compds, answers to A. S. syfer, O. H. G. subar, Germ. sauber, Engl. sober, Lat. sobrius, meaning clean; úsvifr = A. S. unsyfre]:—prop. unsober, unclean, but only used in a metaphorical sense.

2 ú-svifr

2. ‘unwashed,’ coarse, overbearing; Austmenn vóru heldr úsvifir, Sturl. ii. 233; úsvifir ok íllorðir, Fms. iii. 143; hann var úsvifr við sér minni menn, Eb. 42; ú. ok harðgörr, Fas, ii. 470: Ósvifr and Úsyfr (not Ósvífr, for vi changes into y, not ví), Landn., Ld., Sturl. (Ósvifr the Wise).

Similar Words

Runic Inscription

ú-svifr

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

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

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

A. S.: Anglo-Saxon.
adj: adjective.
adj.: adjective.
ch: chapter.
Engl: English.
Engl.: English.
Germ: German.
Germ.: German.
gl: glossary.
gl.: glossary.
l.: Linnæus.
Lat: Latin.
Lat.: Latin.
m.: masculine.
n.: neuter.
O. H. G.: Old High German.
p.: page.
part: participle.
prop: properly.
prop.: properly.
S.: South, Southern.

Works & Authors

Eb.: Eyrbyggja Saga. (D. II.)
Fms.: Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)
Landn.: Landnáma. (D. I.)
Ld.: Laxdæla Saga. (D. II.)
Sturl.: Sturlunga Saga. (D. I.)

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