Æðra

Old Norse Dictionary - æðra

Meaning of Old Norse word "æðra"

As defined by the Cleasby & Vigfusson Old Norse to English dictionary:

æðra
u, f. [no doubt derived from æðr, f., which word originally meant nerves and veins]:—fear, despondency, despair; verðit vel við ok mælit eigi æðru, Nj. 200; svá at þeir megi eigi á oss finna æðru, Ó. H. 214; þá kemr æðra í brjóst Þorkatli, Fbr. 37. æðru-orð, n. a word of fear; in the ancient code of honour a man was never to utter a word of despondency or fear, to do so was thought to be ill-omened; engi maðr skyldi þar æðru-orð mæla eðr kvíða, hvegi úvænt sem þeim hyrfði, Fms. xi. 76; enginn flýði ór sínu rúmi eðr mælti æðru-orð, i. 421; ‘vér munum allir Óðin gista í kveld,’—þatt eitt æðru-orð mælti Hjálmarr, 422; eigi man ek þá lög Jómsvíkinga ef ek kvíði við bana eða mæla ek æðru-orð, eitt sinn skal hverr deyja, Fms. xi. 148.

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark:ᛅᚦᚱᛅ
Younger Futhark runes were used from 8th to 12th centuries in Scandinavia and their overseas settlements

Abbreviations used:

f.
feminine.
n.
neuter.

Works & Authors cited:

Fbr.
Fóstbræðra Saga. (D. II.)
Fms.
Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)
Nj.
Njála. (D. II.)
Ó. H.
Ólafs Saga Helga. (E. I.)
➞ See all works cited in the dictionary

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