Lyf-steinn

Old Norse Dictionary - lyf-steinn

Meaning of Old Norse word "lyf-steinn" in English.

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.)

➞ 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.