Wyrd

See also: wyrd

English

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Old English Wyrd (“Fate”).

Proper noun

Wyrd

1. (mythology) An Old English deity, goddess of fate.
   • 1925, Caroline Harris Stevens, The Treatment of Death in Anglo-Saxon Poetry, page 18:

     Both Wyrd (2574, 2526) and the Mighty Maker (979) measure out dooms, though God is said to control fate (1056).

   • 2007, Holly Taylor, Crimson Fire: Book Two in the Dreamer's Cycle Series:

     At last she spoke, “My name is Anawin. I am the valla. I am the keeper of secrets. I am the teller of truths. I speak for the Wyrd, the three goddesses of fate. I speak for past, for present, for future. What is it that you wish to know?”

   • 2015, CJ Moseley, Chronoclysm: The Paradox War:

     He recognises these women, and with dawning realization so do I. The Queen within, is the Wyrd, Goddess of chance, destiny and death.

Old English

Etymology

The word wyrd used as a name. From Proto-Germanic *wurdiz (“fate”). Cognate with Old Norse Urðr (“one of the three Norns”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /wyrd/, [wyrˠd]

Proper noun

Wyrd f

1. (mythology) Wyrd, the goddess of fate