Vanir

American  

[vah-nir] / ˈvɑ nɪr /

noun

(often lowercase)

1. a race of gods, first in conflict with the Aesir, later allied with them. They function as fertility divinities and include Njord, Frey, and Freyja.

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Vanir British  

/ ˈvɑːnɪə /

noun

1. Norse myth a race of ancient gods often locked in struggle with the Aesir. The most notable of them are Njord and his children Frey and Freya

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Etymology

Origin of Vanir

< Old Norse, probably from the same root as vinr friend, Latin Venus Venus, Sanskrit vánas desire

Example Sentences

Last year it was won by Piggy French, riding Vanir Kamira.

From BBC

It began not long after the dawn of time, in a war between the gods: the Aesir fought the Vanir.

From Literature

At the same time, others, like Mina Vanir, have brought up older accusations that previously received comparatively little attention.

From The Verge

The book will explore the nine Norse worlds, which are populated by elves, fire demons, the Vanir gods, humans, dwarves, giants and the dead.

From New York Times

“Another president won’t do what she is doing,” said civil servant Vanir Paraná, 52 — who voted for Rousseff in Rio on Sunday “for continuity, to finish what she started.”

From Washington Post