Óska-björn

Old Norse Dictionary - óska-björn

Meaning of Old Norse word "óska-björn" (or óska-bjǫrn) in English.

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

óska-björn (óska-bjǫrn): n. [Ivar Aasen fiske-bjorn = fish-bear], a kind of crab, Lat. oniscus; óska-björn is evidently a corruption from the Latin oniscus, which then gave rise to the legend that whosoever possessed the ‘oniscus’ might have a ‘wish’ (ósk) granted.

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

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

Abbreviations used:

Lat.: Latin.

n.: neuter.

Works & Authors cited:

Ivar Aasen: Ivar Aasen’s Dictionary, 1850.

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