Norse

American  

[nawrs] / nɔrs /

adjective

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

2. Norwegian.

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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 British  

/ nɔːs /

adjective

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

2. of, relating to, or characteristic of Norway

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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 adjectivenon-Norse
• pre-Norse adjective

Etymology

Origin of Norse

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

Now, as this Norse god drops the hammer on opponents, Norwegians can’t get enough of him.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Götterdämmerung” is the fourth and final installment of Wagner’s Ring cycle—a Norse saga about a cursed ring that grants power but delivers ruin.

From The Wall Street Journal

In recent years, the Norse cross-country god has left home during the summers and headed to Park City and the nearby Soldier Hollow cross-country ski venue.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You know: Latin. Most names have a meaning in one of the old languages. Latin, Old Norse, Old Centaur, Old Arabian. Old Manticore, if your parents take you to a namer who’s a bit pretentious.”

From Literature

A nod to Shetland's Norse heritage, the parade is led by a group of Vikings, locally known as the "Jarl Squad".

From BBC