Höfuð-svörðr

Old Norse Dictionary - höfuð-svörðr

Meaning of Old Norse word "höfuð-svörðr" (or hǫfuð-svǫrðr) in English.

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

höfuð-svörðr (hǫfuð-svǫrðr): m. the head skin, scalp; in the phrase, standa yfir e-s höfuðsvörðum, to have an enemy’s head at one’s feet, slay one, Fms. iii. 104, Ld. 132, 172, Al. 106, 116.

Orthography: The Cleasby & Vigfusson book used letter ö to represent the original Old Norse vowel ǫ. Therefore, höfuð-svörðr may be more accurately written as hǫfuð-svǫrðr.

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

Abbreviations used:

l.: line.

m.: masculine.

Works & Authors cited:

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

Fms.: Fornmanna Sögur. (E. I.)

Ld.: Laxdæla Saga. (D. II.)

➞ 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.