barsel

Danish

Etymology

From Old Danish barnsøl, a compound of barn (“child”) and øl (“beer”). The word originally designating a celebration after the birth of a child. Cf. also Norwegian Bokmål barsel and Swedish barnsöl. The modern form is influenced by the suffix -sel.

See also gravøl (“wake”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈb̥ɑːsl̩, ˈb̥ɑˀsl̩]

Noun

barsel c (singular definite barslen, plural indefinite barsler)

1. confinement (after childbirth), lying-in
2. parental leave

References

• “barsel” in Den Danske Ordbog

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology

From earlier barnsøl.

Noun

barsel n (plural barselet)

1. childbirth
2. (historical) a feast by a child's birth or baptism

Derived terms

• barselgruppe
• barselpermisjon

References

• “barsel” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.