Váttr

Old Norse Dictionary - váttr

Meaning of Old Norse word "váttr"

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

Old Norse word váttr can mean:váttr

váttr
m., mod. vottr, pl. vættir, D. N. i. 7; [cp. vitni; the etymology of this word is not altogether established, but it is highly probable that it, like vitni (q. v.). is derived from vita and is related to Goth. weit-wodei = μαρτύριον; if so, á would stand for Goth. ei, and the ‘-orð’ in váttorð would not be qs. ‘word,’ but would answer to the Goth. ‘wodei,’ with an inserted r]:—a witness; hafa vátta við, Nj. 3; lét hann ganga fram vitni sín ok vátta, Fms. vii. 141; njóta vátta sinna, N. G. l. i. 55, passim: eccl., Guðs-váttr, God’s witness, a martyr, saint, Blas. 43; Krists váttr, 49; píslar-váttr (q. v.), id.
váttr
COMPDS: váttanefna, váttasaga.

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

Abbreviations used:

cp.
compare.
eccl.
ecclesiastical.
Goth.
Gothic.
l.
line.
L.
Linnæus.
m.
masculine.
mod.
modern.
pl.
plural.
qs.
quasi.
q. v.
quod vide.
v.
vide.

Works & Authors cited:

Blas.
Blasius Saga. (F. III.)
D. N.
Diplomatarium Norvagicum. (J. II.)
Fms.
Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)
N. G. L.
Norges Gamle Love. (B. II.)
Nj.
Njála. (D. II.)
➞ See all works cited in the dictionary

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