Varingus

Latin

Alternative forms

• Barangus, Farganus, Guarangus, Guaringus, Pharganus, Warangus, Waringus, Wargus, Varaegus, Varegus, Varangus, Vargus

Etymology

From a Germanic origin, likely via Old Norse væringi (literally “sworn companion”), from vár (“pledge, oath”) +‎ gengi (“companion”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /u̯aˈrin.ɡus/, [u̯äˈrɪŋɡʊs̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /vaˈrin.ɡus/, [väˈriŋɡus]

Proper noun

Varingus m (genitive Varingī); second declension (Medieval Latin)

1. (historical) Varangian; an ethnic Norseman with ancestral roots in medieval Scandinavia and other areas of Norse settlement during the Viking Age
2. (historical) Varangian; a soldier of Nordic or Anglo-Saxon origin, most distinguished for forming the elite Varangian Guard army unit in the Byzantine Empire, serving as the personal bodyguard of the Byzantine Roman Emperor in Constantinople

Declension

Second-declension noun.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	Varingus	Varingī
Genitive	Varingī	Varingōrum
Dative	Varingō	Varingīs
Accusative	Varingum	Varingōs
Ablative	Varingō	Varingīs
Vocative	Varinge	Varingī

Related terms

• Varangia
• Varangica
• Varangicus
• Varangorum Cohors

Descendants

• → Byzantine Greek: Βάραγγος (Bárangos), Φάργανος (Phárganos)
  • Greek: Βάραγγος (Várangos)
  • → Old Church Slavonic: варѧгъ (varęgŭ)
    • → Old East Slavic: варѧгъ (varęgŭ) (learned)
      • Old Ruthenian: варѧ́гъ (varjáh), вара́гъ (varáh)
        • Belarusian: вара́г (varáh)
        • Carpathian Rusyn: Варя́г (Varjáh)
        • Ukrainian: варя́г (varjáh)
      • Russian: варя́г (varjág) (see there for further descendants)
  • → English: Varangian (learned)

Further reading

• Varingus in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition with additions by D. P. Carpenterius, Adelungius and others, edited by Léopold Favre, 1883–1887)