Kálfr

Old Norse Dictionary - kálfr

Meaning of Old Norse word "kálfr"

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

Old Norse word kálfr can mean:kálfr

kálfr
m. [Goth. kalbo = δάμαλις; A. S. cealf; Engl. calf; O. H. G. chalbâ; Germ. kalb; Dan. kalv; Swed. kalf]:—a calf; kýr ok kálfr, FmS. i. 168, vi. 260, 368, Njarð. 374, Gísl. 80, Eb. 316, 318, FaS. iii. 34, Grág. i. 502, n. G. l. i. 25: the phrase, ala öðrum þræl kálfs-eldi, to feed a thrall for another man as a calf, i. e. to feed a person who does nothing but eat, 31; hindar-k., a fawn, Str. 3: a whale-calf.
kálfr
II. metaph. of a small island near a large one, eyjar-k.; Manar-k., the Calf of Man, at its southern extremity; Rastar-kálfr, the Calf of the island Rost.
kálfr
β. hvann-kálfr, young angelica, Hervar. (Hb.) Gsp., cp. Gr. μόσχος: kálfa-kjöt, n. ‘calf-flesh,’ veal, Stj. 91: kálfs-belgr, m. a calf’s skin, Gísl. 118, FaS. iii. 621: kálfs-fætr, m. pl. a calf’s legs; flegnar kálfs fætr, flayed calves feet, of the stockings hanging about one’s legS.
kálfr
III. metaph. a calf, i. e. a silly person, dunce; þú ert mesti kálfr!

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

Abbreviations used:

A. S.
Anglo-Saxon.
Dan.
Danish.
Engl.
English.
f.
feminine.
Germ.
German.
gl.
glossary.
Goth.
Gothic.
i. e.
id est.
l.
line.
L.
Linnæus.
m.
masculine.
n.
neuter.
O. H. G.
Old High German.
S.
Saga.
Swed.
Swedish.
metaph.
metaphorical, metaphorically.
cp.
compare.
Gr.
Greek.
pl.
plural.

Works & Authors cited:

Eb.
Eyrbyggja Saga. (D. II.)
Fas.
Fornaldar Sögur. (C. II.)
Fms.
Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)
Gísl.
Gísla Saga. (D. II.)
Grág.
Grágás. (B. I.)
N. G. L.
Norges Gamle Love. (B. II.)
Njarð.
Njarðvíkinga Saga. (D. II.)
Str.
Strengleikar. (G. II.)
Gsp.
Getspeki Heiðreks. (A. II.)
Hb.
Hauks-bók. (H. IV.)
Stj.
Stjórn. (F. I.)
➞ See all works cited in the dictionary

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