Niflheim

American  

[niv-uhl-heym] / ˈnɪv əlˌheɪm /

noun

Scandinavian Mythology.

1. a place of eternal cold, darkness, and fog, ruled over by Hel: abode of those who die of illness or old age.

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Niflheim British  

/ ˈnɪvəlˌheɪm /

noun

1. Norse myth the abode of the dead

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Etymology

Origin of Niflheim

< Old Norse Niflheimr, equivalent to nifl- (cognate with Old English nifol darkness, Old High German nebal mist, cloud, Latin nebula ( see nebula)) + heimr world, home

Example Sentences

When the crew of the colonization mission discover that their new home, an ice planet called Niflheim, is inhabited by armadillo-like crawler creatures, they wonder what to do about this unanticipated roadblock in their efforts.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2025

Need someone to take the first steps on Niflheim to inhale the planet’s toxic air so the lab can concoct a vaccine?

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2025

As frigid as it is, Niflheim doesn’t seem any worse than the pounding dust storms at home.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2025

The latest title in the long-running role-playing adventure series sees lead character Noctis travelling across his kingdom to re-take a magical crystal from evil overlord Niflheim.

From The Guardian • Dec. 29, 2016

He rode down to Niflheim, the world of the dead, where he found the dwelling of Hela, or Hel, the Goddess of the Dead, all decked out in festal array.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton