rune

¹

[ roon ]

noun

1. any of the characters of certain ancient alphabets, as of a script used for writing the Germanic languages, especially of Scandinavia and Britain, from c200 to c1200, or a script used for inscriptions in a Turkic language of the 6th to 8th centuries from the area near the Orkhon River in Mongolia.
2. something written or inscribed in such characters.
3. an aphorism, poem, or saying with mystical meaning or for use in casting a spell.

rune

²

[ roon ]

noun

, Literary.

1. a poem, song, or verse.

rune

/ ruːn /

noun

1. any of the characters of an ancient Germanic alphabet, derived from the Roman alphabet, in use, esp in Scandinavia, from the 3rd century ad to the end of the Middle Ages. Each character was believed to have a magical significance
2. any obscure piece of writing using mysterious symbols
3. a kind of Finnish poem or a stanza in such a poem

Derived Forms

• ˈrunic, adjective

Other Words From

• runelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rune¹

First recorded in 1675–85; from Old Norse rūn “secret, writing, runic character”; cognate with Old English rūn, Middle English rune, obsolete English roun; round ²

Origin of rune²

First recorded in 1865–70; from Finnish runo “poem, canto,” from Scandinavian; rune ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of rune¹

Old English rūn , from Old Norse rūn secret; related to Old Saxon, Old High German, Gothic runa

Example Sentences

In a post-credits scene, Wanda is consulting the Book of the Damned, which looks an awful lot like the books in Doctor Strange’s library, and the runes she uses are reminiscent of ones that pop up in Doctor Strange.

From Time

These are closer in spirit and power to the largest paintings, which the artist’s statements likens to runes and petroglyphs.

From Washington Post

The magical powers of runes were invoked, and the Ahnenerbe logo features rune-style lettering.

From The Daily Beast

O I will for thee the Rune-characters trace, And thou them shalt cast in convenient place.

From Project Gutenberg

A rune is a sort of alphabet of sixteen characters and all are formed in straight lines.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, stooping, she said slowly the few lines of the old, old rune.

From Project Gutenberg

What is the rune that is said for the throwing into the sea of the sins of the dead?

From Project Gutenberg

So this dear, deluded old gentleman, having failed to secure a 'rune' in Java brought back something equally cryptic—a woman?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ballad
• epic
• jingle
• lyrics
• poem
• poetry
• rhyme
• sonnet
• stanza