Genta

Old Norse Dictionary - genta

Meaning of Old Norse word "genta"

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

genta: u, f. a girl; a special Norse word not used in Icel. and not found in old writers earlier than the 14th or 15th century, unless ‘getta’ in the verse in Hálfs S. be the same or kindred word; hvað líðr nú grautnum, genta, FaS. iii. 382, 389, 393 (Eg. Einh. S.), is the only passage where it is used in Icel. writerS. In many languages the equivalents are curious, Engl. girl, Swed. flicka, Norse genta (proncd. yenta, vide Asbjörnsen’s Tales), Icel. stúlka, Dan. pige,—all words that baffle etymologerS. The Germans seem to have no such word, as mädchen and mädel are plain enough. The Lapps have ganda = a girl, which may be the origin of genta.

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

Abbreviations used:

Dan.: Danish.

Engl.: English.

f.: feminine.

gl.: glossary.

Icel.: Iceland, Icelander, Icelanders, Icelandic.

l.: line.

n.: neuter.

proncd.: pronounced.

S.: Saga.

Swed.: Swedish.

Works & Authors cited:

Eg.: Egils Saga. (D. II.)

Fas.: Fornaldar Sögur. (C. II.)

Hálfs S.: Hálfs Saga. (C. II.)

➞ See all works cited in the dictionary