Jotun

[ yaw-too n ]

/ ˈyɔ tʊn /

noun Scandinavian Mythology.

any of a race of giants frequently in conflict with the gods.

Also Jo·tunn, Jö·tunn

[yœ-too n] /ˈyœ tʊn/.

Origin of Jotun

1835–45; < Old Norse jǫtunn giant; cognate with Old English ēoten; akin to eat

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for jotun

Flew then Loki—the plumage rattled—until he came beyond the Æsir's dwellings, and came within the Jotun's land.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson|Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson
If with a far-famed spear-armed Jotun thou words exchangest, of words and wit to thy mindful heart abundance shall be given.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson|Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson
In Tholley dwells that Thurs, that dog-wise Jotun, of all rock-dwellers the worst: he is a fitting man for thee.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson|Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson
Then were three oxen taken, and the Jotun bade them forthwith be boiled.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson|Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson

The Jotun's voice rumbled hideously as he talked into his goblet.
The Ward of King Canute|Ottilie A. Liljencrantz

British Dictionary definitions for jotun

Jotun

Jotunn

/ (ˈjɔːtʊn) /

noun

Norse myth any of a race of giants

Word Origin for Jotun

from Old Norse jötunn giant; related to eat

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for jotun

jotun

1842, a word revived from Old Norse jotunn (see ettin).