Gljúfr

Old Norse Dictionary - gljúfr

Meaning of Old Norse word "gljúfr" in English.

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

gljúfr: n. almost only in pl. [A. S. glôf = cliff], an abrupt descent or chasm, esp. in the bed of a river, ár-gljúfr; hvar hin litla áin féll ór gljúfrum, Eg. 134; eru gljúfr mikil upp með ánni, Fær. 62, Landn. 251, Glúm. 362, Al. 92, FmS. viii. 51, Gullþ. 8; en tveim-megin gengu at g. há ok hin brattastu björg, Stj. 452. 1. Sam. xiv. 4: sing., Grett. 142 (in a verse): so the mod. phrases,—glæfra-ferð, f. a neck-breaking, dangerous exploit (as among precipices); glæfra-göng, n. pl. straits, Broddi er kominn í g., a ditty of Pal Vídalín; glæfra-ligr, adj. dangerous, horrible,—are all derived from gljúfr.

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

Abbreviations used:

adj.: adjective.

A. S.: Anglo-Saxon.

esp.: especially.

f.: feminine.

l.: line.

m.: masculine.

mod.: modern.

n.: neuter.

pl.: plural.

S.: Saga.

sing.: singular.

v.: vide.

þ.: þáttr.

Works & Authors cited:

Al.: Alexanders Saga. (G. I.)

Eg.: Egils Saga. (D. II.)

Fms.: Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)

Fær.: Færeyinga Saga. (E. II.)

Glúm.: Víga-Glúms Saga. (D. II.)

Grett.: Grettis Saga. (D. II.)

Gullþ.: Gull-Þóris Saga. (D. II.)

Landn.: Landnáma. (D. I.)

Stj.: Stjórn. (F. I.)

➞ See all works cited in the dictionary

Also available in related dictionaries:

This headword also appears in dictionaries of other languages descending from Old Norse.