svanni
Old Norse edit
Etymology edit
Possibly a diminutive from svanr (“swan”), meaning “little swan”. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Noun edit
svanni m (genitive svanna)
- (poetic, heiti) lady, woman
- sá hvítjarpr svanni
- the light-brown-haired lady
- 1093–1103, King Magnús barefoot Óláfsson, loose verse 4
- […] Þungan berk af þingi
þann harm, es skalk svanna
— skreytask menn á móti —
minn aldrigi finna.- Heavy I carry away from the assembly, the sorrow that I shall never — men adorn themselves at the meeting — find my lady.
Usage notes edit
Although this word does refer to a woman, it is still grammatically masculine.