Norse

[nawrs]

adjective

1. of or relating to ancient Scandinavia, its inhabitants, or their language.

2. Norwegian.

noun

1. (used with a plural verb),  the Norwegians, especially the ancient Norwegians.

2. (used with a plural verb),  the Northmen or ancient Scandinavians generally.

3. the Norwegian language, especially in its older forms.

Norse

/ nɔːs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of ancient and medieval Scandinavia or its inhabitants

2. of, relating to, or characteristic of Norway

noun

1. 1. the N group of Germanic languages, spoken in Scandinavia; Scandinavian

   2. any one of these languages, esp in their ancient or medieval forms See also Proto-Norse Old Norse

2. (functioning as plural)

   1. the Norwegians

   2. the Vikings

Other Word Forms

• non-Norse adjective non-Norse
• pre-Norse adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Norse¹

1590–1600; perhaps < Dutch noorsch, obsolete variant of noordsch (now noords ), equivalent to noord north + -sch -ish ¹. Compare Norwegian, Swedish, Danish Norsk Norwegian, Norse

Example Sentences

Mr Edgley has previously joked that the challenge would be "the closest thing yet to swimming around Asgard" - the mythical home of the Norse god Thor.

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The design depicts a man dancing a jig while holding a Christian cross above a symbol linked to the Norse god Odin.

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The design of the double-ended yole has origins going back to the Norse Viking raiding boats that arrived on Scotland's shores a millennia ago.

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The Norse, Danes, Nazis, and Americans came to Greenland chasing territory and natural resources, and for military domination of the Arctic.

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The island was one of the last places in Shetland where the old Norn language, a relic of Norse times, was spoken.

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