Norse

1 of 2

noun

ˈnȯrs 

plural Norse

1

a

: norwegian sense 2

b

: any of the western Scandinavian dialects or languages

c

: the Scandinavian group of Germanic languages

2

plural

a

: scandinavians

b

: norwegians

Norse

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of or relating to ancient Scandinavia or the language of its inhabitants

2

: norwegian

Examples of Norse in a Sentence

Noun

The Norse arrived in the ninth century.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Black Friday is a time for deals, and low cost airline Norse Atlantic Airways is on board, offering flights to Europe starting as low as $129 and even bigger savings on fare bundles. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2024

Right Now By Jordan Thomas Forbes Staff The symbols on the talismans and the symbol that Jade sees in his visions could easily be interpreted as occult, with a mixture of Celtic, Norse and Mesoamerican glyphs. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

And it’s long been associated with mystical power: In Norse myth, the god Balder is mistakenly killed by an arrow of mistletoe—after which the plant becomes synonymous with his grieving mother’s undying love. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024

Allen's defense team aggressively pushed their theory that Odinists, members of a pagan Norse religion hijacked by white nationalists, killed the girls during a sacrificial ritual in the woods. —Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from obsolete Dutch noorsch, adjective, Norwegian, Scandinavian, alteration of obsolete Dutch noordsch northern, from Dutch noord north; akin to Old English north north

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

circa 1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Norse

• Old Norse
• the Norse

Kids Definition

Norse

noun

ˈnȯ(ə)rs

1

plural Norse

a

: the Scandinavian people

b

: the Norwegian people

2

a

: norwegian sense 2

b

: any of the Scandinavian languages

Norse adjective