ylfa

Old Norse

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *wulbī (but extended to an ōn-stem). Derived from ulfr (“wolf”), in the same way as birna (“she-bear”), ketta (“female cat”) and hryssa (“mare”).

Noun

ylfa f (genitive ylfu)

1. (hapax) she-wolf

   Synonym: ylgr

   • 15th century, J. B. Dodsworth, transl., edited by Agnete Loth, Late Medieval Icelandic Romances (Editiones Arnamagnæanæ B; 23), volume IV, Copenhagen, published 1964, →ISBN, →ISSN, Vilhjálms saga sjóðs, page 98:

     ei uissu menn ætt hans. þuiat hann fannzt j greni ylfu einnar.

     No one knows from what family he is descended, as he was found in a wolf's lair.

Declension

  Declension of ylfa (weak ōn-stem)

feminine	singular		plural
	indefinite	definite	indefinite	definite
nominative	ylfa	ylfan	ylfur	ylfurnar
accusative	ylfu	ylfuna	ylfur	ylfurnar
dative	ylfu	ylfunni	ylfum	ylfunum
genitive	ylfu	ylfunnar	ylfna	ylfnanna

Descendants

• → Icelandic: Ylfa, Ylva, ylfa, ýlfa
• Old Swedish: ylva, Ylva
  • Swedish: Ylva