Lyf-steinn
Old Norse Dictionary - lyf-steinn
Meaning of Old Norse word "lyf-steinn"
As defined by the Cleasby & Vigfusson Old Norse to English dictionary:
- lyf-steinn
- m., also spelt lif-steinn, Korm. 80, 116, Fas. iii. 244, 307:—a healing stone, stone of virtue (cp. mod. Icel. náttúru-steinn); such stones are recorded as attached to the hilts of ancient swords to rub and heal the wounds with, e. g. the sword Skofnung; wounds made by this sword could only be healed by the stone grooved in its hilt, Ld. 250, 252, Korm. 80, cp. Þórð. (1860) 102; í eptra hjalti sverðsins vóru læstir lifsteinar, þeir er eitr ok sviða drógu ór sárum ef í vóru skafnir, Fas. iii. 244, 307; Bersi hafði lifstein á hálsi, Korm. 116, where the stone was to save one from being drowned.
Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark:ᛚᚢᚠ-ᛋᛏᛁᛁᚾᚾ
Younger Futhark runes were used from 8th to 12th centuries in Scandinavia and their overseas settlements
Abbreviations used:
- cp.
- compare.
- e. g.
- exempli gratia.
- Icel.
- Iceland, Icelander, Icelanders, Icelandic.
- l.
- line.
- m.
- masculine.
- mod.
- modern.
Works & Authors cited:
- Fas.
- Fornaldar Sögur. (C. II.)
- Korm.
- Kormaks Saga. (D. II.)
- Ld.
- Laxdæla Saga. (D. II.)
- Þórð.
- Þórðar Saga hreðu. (D. V.)