Greifi

Old Norse Dictionary - greifi

Meaning of Old Norse word "greifi" in English.

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

greifi
a, m. [A. S. gerêfa; Engl. reeve (shire-reeve = sheriff); Germ. graf; the word is not Scandin., and for the etym. see Grimm’s Rechts-alterth. 752 sqq.]:—an earl, count; Edda 93 states that gerêfas in Saxony (i. e. Germany), barons in England (after the Conquest), and lendir menn in Norway are all synonymous; Nj. 157, FmS. vii. 59, 60, Mar. passim: Stj., Al., and Róm. render Lat. praefectus by greifi: as a nickname, BS. i. 555. greifa-dómr, m. an earldom, county, Ann. 216, Stj.

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

Abbreviations used:

A. S.
Anglo-Saxon.
Engl.
English.
etym.
etymology.
Germ.
German.
gl.
glossary.
i. e.
id est.
l.
line.
Lat.
Latin.
m.
masculine.
n.
neuter.
S.
Saga.
Scandin.
Scandinavia, Scandinavian.

Works & Authors cited:

Al.
Alexanders Saga. (G. I.)
Ann.
Íslenzkir Annálar. (D. IV.)
Bs.
Biskupa Sögur. (D. III.)
Edda
Edda. (C. I.)
Fms.
Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)
Mar.
Maríu Saga. (F. III.)
Nj.
Njála. (D. II.)
Róm.
Rómverja Saga. (E. II.)
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.

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