LYF

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

LYF

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

1 LYF

f., pl. lyfjar. also spelt lif, see the references below; the word is used as neut. in Bs. ii. 87, and then chiefly in pl. in Bs. i. 179, Fas. iii. 11, Fms. ix. 282; [Ulf. lubja-leisi = φαρμακεία, Gal. v. 20; A. S. lib; O. H. G. lupi; Swed. luf; early Dan. löv]:—a herb, simple, esp. with the notion of healing, witchcraft or supernatural power, = Gr. φάρμακον; trúa á lyf kvenna eða görningar, Hom. 33; lækning, lyf eðr galldra, 121; góð smyrzl ok læknings-lif, Fas. iii. 174; með heilsamligum smyrslum né lækningar-lyfum, Stj. 272; lif (not líf) með lækning, Skv. 1. 17; varisk menn lif, rúnir ok galdra, N. G. L. iii. 300; töfr ok lif, rúnir ok galdra, 286; lækningar lyf, 245; kona hver er ferr með lif ok læzk kunna bæta mönnum, ef hón er sönn at því, þá er hón sek þrem mörkum, i. 390; hann tekr þá nokkur lyf af helgum dómi Jóns biskups, Bs. i. 179; ek hefi þat eitt gras, er … Dagfinnr svarar, engi (= enga?) lyf eðr lækning skulu vér til þessa hafa, nema þær einar (sic), er …, Fms. ix. 282; eitr-fullt lyf, Bs. ii. 87; lítil lyf kveða höfð til lýða sona, the sons of men are made of small matter (seed, cause?), Fas. iii. 11 (in a verse): adverb., ekki lyf, not a whit, Skv. 1. 9, (not as explained at p. 274, col. 1, line 1): ú-lyfjan, poison.

Runic Inscription

ᛚᚢᚠ

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

A. S.
Anglo-Saxon.
adv
adverb.
adverb.
adverbially.
bisk
bishop.
ch
chapter.
Dan
Danish.
Dan.
Danish.
esp
especially.
esp.
especially.
f.
feminine.
Gr.
Greek.
l.
Linnæus.
m.
masculine.
n.
neuter.
neut.
neuter.
O. H. G.
Old High German.
p.
page.
pl.
plural.
S.
South, Southern.
Swed
Swedish.
Swed.
Swedish.
Ulf.
Ulfilas.
v.
vide, verb.

Works & Authors

Bs.
Biskupa Sögur. (D. III.)
Fas.
Fornaldar Sögur. (C. II.)
Fms.
Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)
Hom.
Homiliu-bók. (F. II.)
N. G. L.
Norges Gamle Love. (B. II.)
Skv.
Sigurðar-kviða. (A. II.)
Stj.
Stjórn. (F. I.)

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