Herra

Meaning of Old Norse word "herra"

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

Old Norse word herra can mean:herra

herra

m. (herri, a, m., Clem. 36), irreg. and indecl. in sing., pl. reg. herrar, [derived from herr, as dróttinn from drótt, þjóðan from þjóð; Germ. herr; Dan. herre, etc.]:—gener. a lord, master, FmS. i. 218, x. 45, 159, xi. 381; in olden times herra was used in addressing a king or earl, as Fr. sire, Engl. sir, see the Sagas passim:

herra

I. as a title; in A. D. 1277 knights and barons were created in Norway, to whom the title of Herra was given; Herra Rafn, Herra Þorvarðr, Herra Sturla, etc., Árna S., Laur. S., Ann. passim: the bishops and abbots were also so styled, e. g. Herra Arngrímr (an abbot), BS. ii. After the Reformation, Herra became an integral part of the style of bishops, as Sira of priests, Herra Guðbrandr, Herra Þorlákr, Herra Oddr, etc., and can only be applied to the Christian name; cp. the ditty in which the old woman addresses the bishop bv Sira, and is rebuked for her rudeness, Sælir verið þér, Sira minn, | sagða eg við Biskupinn; | ansaði mér þá aptr hinn, | þú áttir að kall’ ‘ann Herra þinn. In mod. usage Herra is often applied to any person whatever, but only in writing; for in conversation the Icel. has no equivalent to the Engl. Mr. or Germ. Herr, and a person is simply addressed by his name or other title, Sira if a clergyman, and the like. In the n. T. dróttinn, herra, and lávarðr (from Engl.) are used indiscriminately.

herra

II. COMPDS: herradómr, herradæmi, herraliga, herraligr, herramaðr, herramannliga, herramannligr, herranafn, herrasamligr, herrasæti.

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

Similar entries:

• Herra (I)