Kaup-maðr
Old Norse Dictionary - kaup-maðr
Meaning of Old Norse word "kaup-maðr"
As defined by the Cleasby & Vigfusson Old Norse to English dictionary:
- kaup-maðr
- m. [cp. Engl. chapman; Germ. kaufmann; Dan. kjöbmand; Swed. köpman]:—a merchant, traveller; in old times, trade was held in honour, and a kaupmaðr (merchant) and farmaðr (traveller) were almost synonymous; young men of rank and fortune used to set out on their travels which they continued for some years, until at last they settled for life; even the kings engaged in trade (see e. g. the pref. to the Hkr., of king St. Olave and Hall í Haukadale); whence in after-times arose the notion of royal trade monopoly. Numerous passages in the Sagas refer to journeys taken for trade; kaupmaðr ok smiðr mikill, Ó. H. 5, 214, Nj. 124, Fms. v.ii. 234, 303, Ísl. ii. 126, Fs. 24, Eb. 140; kaupmanna görfi, a merchant’s attire, Fms. v. 285; kaupmanna-lög, a league of merchants; kallaði hann þeirra manna auðgastan er verit höfðu í kaupmanna-lögum, Ld. 28.
Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark:ᚴᛅᚢᛒ-ᛘᛅᚦᚱ
Younger Futhark runes were used from 8th to 12th centuries in Scandinavia and their overseas settlements
Abbreviations used:
- cp.
- compare.
- Dan.
- Danish.
- e. g.
- exempli gratia.
- Engl.
- English.
- f.
- feminine.
- Germ.
- German.
- gl.
- glossary.
- l.
- line.
- m.
- masculine.
- n.
- neuter.
- pref.
- preface.
- s. v.
- sub voce.
- Swed.
- Swedish.
- v.
- vide.
Works & Authors cited:
- Eb.
- Eyrbyggja Saga. (D. II.)
- Fms.
- Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)
- Fs.
- Forn-sögur. (D. II.)
- Hkr.
- Heimskringla. (E. I.)
- Ld.
- Laxdæla Saga. (D. II.)
- Nj.
- Njála. (D. II.)
- Ó. H.
- Ólafs Saga Helga. (E. I.)