live

live (some technical senses)
(broadcasting) on air


mare

mare f (definite singular mara, indefinite plural marer, definite plural marene)

mara (definite singular)
marer (indefinite plural)
marene (definite plural)
Mara (alternative dialectal)
mara (alternative dialectal)
maru (alternative dialectal)
muru (alternative dialectal)
murru (alternative dialectal)


font

font m (definite singular fonten, indefinite plural fontar, definite plural fontane)

fonten (definite singular)
fontar (indefinite plural)
fontane (definite plural)

From Latin fons, via Old Norse fontr (sense 1), and French fonte, via English font (sense 2).


vend

vend f (definite singular venda, indefinite plural vender, definite plural vendene)

venda (definite singular)
vender (indefinite plural)
vendene (definite plural)

(poetry, music) a stanza, or the tune of one


haiku

nn-noun-multi

haiku m or n (definite singular haikuen or haikuet, indefinite plural haikuar or haiku, definite plural haikuane or haikua)

haikuen (definite singular)
haikuet (definite singular)
haikuar (indefinite plural)
haiku (indefinite plural)
haikuane (definite plural)
haikua (definite plural)

Ultimately borrowed from Japanese 俳(はい)句(く) (haiku).

der finst ikkje så mange ord i eit haiku

Paal-Helge Haugen sette om japanske haikuar til norsk[.]

1998, Hadle Oftedal Andersen, editor, Poesiens pil, [Oslo]: Cappelen, page 170:

Paal-Helge Haugen translated Japanese haikus into Norwegian.


troll

troll n (definite singular trollet, indefinite plural troll, definite plural trolla)

trollet (definite singular)
troll (indefinite plural)
trolla (definite plural)
tròdl (alternative)
tròdd (alternative)
trøll (alternative)
trødl (alternative)
trødd (alternative)
træll (alternative)
trøull (alternative)
trøyll (alternative)

From Old Norse trǫll, from Proto-Germanic *truzlą, from Proto-Indo-European *dreh₂-.

Dat eine Trollet skræmer inkje dat andre.

1856, Ivar Aasen, Norske Ordsprog [Norwegian Proverbs]:


hug

hug m (definite singular hugen, indefinite plural hugar, definite plural hugane)

hugen (definite singular)
hugar (indefinite plural)
hugane (definite plural)
hau (alternative)

From Old Norse hugr (“thought”), from Proto-Germanic *hugiz og uncertain origin. Cognates include Norwegian Bokmål hu.

(uncountable, folklore) an itch in the nose which comes when someone is thinking of one, or as a warning that someone is about to arrive


ellipse

ellipse m (definite singular ellipsen, indefinite plural ellipsar, definite plural ellipsane)

ellipsen (definite singular)
ellipsar (indefinite plural)
ellipsane (definite plural)

From Latin ellipsis, from Ancient Greek ἔλλειψις (élleipsis).

(grammar, rhetoric, typography) an ellipsis


kall

kall m (definite singular kallen, indefinite plural kallar, definite plural kallane)

kallen (definite singular)
kallar (indefinite plural)
kallane (definite plural)

From Old Norse karl, from Proto-Germanic *karilaz. Doublet of kar. Cognates include Elfdalian kall and Swedish karl.

(folklore) (a general term for) a male supernatural creature


grim

grim m (definite singular grimen, indefinite plural grimar, definite plural grimane)

grimen (definite singular)
grimar (indefinite plural)
grimane (definite plural)


script

script n (definite singular scriptet, indefinite plural script, definite plural scripta)

script m (definite singular scripten, indefinite plural scriptar, definite plural scriptane)

scriptet (definite singular)
script (indefinite plural)
scripta (definite plural)
scripten (definite singular)
scriptar (indefinite plural)
scriptane (definite plural)
skript (alternative)

Borrowed from English script, from Middle English scrit, Old French escrit, and ultimately Latin scriptum (“something written”).

(colloquial, cinematography) a script (written document containing dialogue)


reporter

reporter m (definite singular reporteren, indefinite plural reporterar, definite plural reporterane)

reporteren (definite singular)
reporterar (indefinite plural)
reporterane (definite plural)


regi

regi m (definite singular regien, indefinite plural regiar, definite plural regiane)

regien (definite singular)
regiar (indefinite plural)
regiane (definite plural)

Borrowed from French, derived from Latin regere (“to reign, control”).


jette

jette m (definite singular jetten, indefinite plural jettar, definite plural jettane)

jetten (definite singular)
jettar (indefinite plural)
jettane (definite plural)

From Danish jætte, from Old Norse jǫtunn, from Proto-Germanic *etunaz.


kast

kast n (definite singular kastet, indefinite plural kast, definite plural kasta)

kastet (definite singular)
kast (indefinite plural)
kasta (definite plural)

From Old Norse kast.
(folklore): Compare Swedish offerkast.


orm

orm m (definite singular ormen, indefinite plural ormar, definite plural ormane)

ormen (definite singular)
ormar (indefinite plural)
ormane (definite plural)

From Old Norse ormr, from Proto-Germanic *wurmiz, from Proto-Indo-European *wr̥mis. Akin to English worm.

(folklore) a mythical worm living in a human body parts, teeth or bones, causing various kinds of sickness

(folklore) any mythical dragon-like creature


rei

rei f (definite singular reia, indefinite plural reier, definite plural reiene)

reia (definite singular)
reier (indefinite plural)
reiene (definite plural)

From Old Norse reið, Proto-Germanic *raidō. Doublet of raide.


stallo

stallo m (definite singular stalloen, indefinite plural stalloar, definite plural stalloane)

stalloen (definite singular)
stalloar (indefinite plural)
stalloane (definite plural)

From Northern Sami stállu, from Proto-Samic *(s)tālō.

(folklore) a stallo (A humanoid malignant being known from Sami folklore.)


rå

rå f (definite singular råa, indefinite plural råer, definite plural råene)

råa (definite singular)
råer (indefinite plural)
råene (definite plural)


sak

sak f (definite singular saka, indefinite plural saker, definite plural sakene)

saka (definite singular)
saker (indefinite plural)
sakene (definite plural)

Derived from Old Norse sǫk, akin to English sake.

Eg jobbar med ei sak om statsministeren

I am working on a story about the prime minister.


metrum

metrum n (definite singular metrumet, indefinite plural metrum, definite plural metruma)

metrumet (definite singular)
metrum (indefinite plural)
metruma (definite plural)

From Latin metrum, from Ancient Greek μέτρον (métron, “measure”). Doublet of meter.


yrkja

yrkja (present tense yrkjer, past tense yrkte, past participle yrkt, passive infinitive yrkjast, present participle yrkjande, imperative yrk)

yrkjer (present)
yrkte (past)
yrkt (participle past)
yrkjast (infinitive passive)
yrkjande (participle present)
yrk (imperative)
yrkje (alternative)
yrka (alternative)
yrke (alternative)

From Old Norse yrkja, from Proto-Germanic *wurkijaną, from Proto-Indo-European *wr̥ǵyéti of the root *werǵ-. In an ablaut relationship with verk (from Proto-Indo-European *wérǵom (“work”)).


biografi

biografi m (definite singular biografien, indefinite plural biografiar, definite plural biografiane)

biografien (definite singular)
biografiar (indefinite plural)
biografiane (definite plural)


kanon

kanon m (definite singular kanonen, indefinite plural kanonar, definite plural kanonane)

kanonen (definite singular)
kanonar (indefinite plural)
kanonane (definite plural)

From Old French canon, from Latin canōn, from Ancient Greek κανών (kanṓn, “measuring rod, standard”), akin to κάννα (kánna, “reed”), perhaps from Semitic (compare Hebrew קָנֶה (qane, “reed”)).

(literature) canon (group of literary works)


stemma

head

stemma (present tense stemmer, past tense stemde or stemte, past participle stemt, present participle stemmande, imperative stem)

stemmer (present)
stemde (past)
stemte (past)
stemt (participle past)
stemmande (participle present)
stem (imperative)

(folklore) to stop a bleeding by using magic power; to still blood


spatium

spatium n (definite singular spatiet, indefinite plural spatium, definite plural spatia)

spatiet (definite singular)
spatium (indefinite plural)
spatia (definite plural)

From Latin spatium (“space, distance”), whence also English space.


strofe

strofe f (definite singular strofa, indefinite plural strofer, definite plural strofene)

strofa (definite singular)
strofer (indefinite plural)
strofene (definite plural)


kvist

kvist m (definite singular kvisten, indefinite plural kvister or kvistar, definite plural kvistene or kvistane)

kvisten (definite singular)
kvister (indefinite plural)
kvistar (indefinite plural)
kvistene (definite plural)
kvistane (definite plural)
kvist (accusative indefinite nominative singular)
kvisten (accusative definite nominative singular)
kvister (accusative indefinite nominative plural)
kvistar (accusative indefinite nominative plural)
kvistene (accusative definite nominative plural)
kvistane (accusative definite nominative plural)
kviste- (genitive in-compounds indefinite plural)
kvist (accusative indefinite nominative singular)
kvisten (accusative definite nominative singular)
kvister (accusative indefinite nominative plural)
kvisterne (accusative definite nominative plural)
kviste (dative definite singular)
kvistom (dative definite plural)
kviste- (genitive in-compounds indefinite plural)
kvest (alternative dialectal)

kvist

nn-decl-blank-full

kvist

(typography) twig, one of the side strokes of a rune; ogonek


vette

vette n (definite singular vettet, indefinite plural vette, definite plural vetta)

vettet (definite singular)
vette (indefinite plural)
vetta (definite plural)

From Old Norse vettr, vættr f, from Proto-Germanic *wihtiz. Akin to English wight.


marg

marg m (definite singular margen, indefinite plural margar, definite plural margane)

margen (definite singular)
margar (indefinite plural)
margane (definite plural)


heiti

heiti n (definite singular heitiet, indefinite plural heiti, definite plural heitia)

heitiet (definite singular)
heiti (indefinite plural)
heitia (definite plural)

Learned borrowing from Old Norse heiti. Doublet of heite.

(Norse poetry) a heiti; alternative form of heite


sats

sats m (definite singular satsen, indefinite plural satsar, definite plural satsane)

satsen (definite singular)
satsar (indefinite plural)
satsane (definite plural)

(printing, typography) typesetting; the way a text is typeset


tekste

tekste (present tense tekstar, past tense teksta, past participle teksta, passive infinitive tekstast, present participle tekstande, imperative tekste/tekst)

tekstar (present)
teksta (past)
teksta (participle past)
tekstast (infinitive passive)
tekstande (participle present)
tekste (imperative)
tekst (imperative)
teksta (alternative)


jøtul

jøtul m (definite singular jøtulen, indefinite plural jøtlar, definite plural jøtlane)

jøtulen (definite singular)
jøtlar (indefinite plural)
jøtlane (definite plural)
jutul (alternative)
jøtun (alternative)
jotun (alternative)
jøtøl (alternative)
jøtle (alternative)
jøtel (alternative)
jøtedl (alternative)
jutuli (alternative)
jùtel (alternative)
jutedl (alternative)

From Old Norse jǫtunn, from Proto-Germanic *etunaz. Doublet of jette and jotun.

(folklore) mountain-dwelling giant; giant living inside a mountain


cicero

cicero m (definite singular ciceroen, indefinite plural ciceroar, definite plural ciceroane)

ciceroen (definite singular)
ciceroar (indefinite plural)
ciceroane (definite plural)


nisse

nisse m (definite singular nissen, indefinite plural nissar, definite plural nissane)

nissen (definite singular)
nissar (indefinite plural)
nissane (definite plural)
niss (alternative)

From Danish nisse, from Nisse, a pet form of the common male given name Niels (cf. Norwegian Nils), which itself is a short form of Latin Nicolaus. As the name of a being possibly derived from St. Nicholas (St. Nils), compare Santa Claus and the Dutch Sinterklaas. Has to some degree replaced more traditional Norwegian names such as tufte(kall) and gardvord, which do not have religious connotations.

Elder den, som kunde faa fat i Bergkongen. Elder i Nissen, elder i ein Dverg, elder i nokot annat slikt.

1883, Arne Garborg, Bondestudentar [Farmer students]:

He who could only catch the Mountain King. Or the nisse, or a dwarf, or something else of that sort.

(folklore) a (small) being that lives in farmsteads; in modern times associated with Christmas.


enke

enke f (definite singular enka, indefinite plural enker, definite plural enkene)

enka (definite singular)
enker (indefinite plural)
enkene (definite plural)
enkje (alternative)
Enkja (alternative)
ekkje (alternative)
ekkja (alternative)

From Old Norse ekkja (“widow”), via Danish enke.

(printing) A single line of type that ends a paragraph, carried over to the next page or column; a widow


tomte

tomte m (definite singular tomten, indefinite plural tomtar, definite plural tomtane)

tomten (definite singular)
tomtar (indefinite plural)
tomtane (definite plural)

From tomt, from Old Norse tompt. Doublet of tufte and tofte (“the oldest man on a farm”). Cognate with Swedish tomte.

doublet

(folklore, chiefly Eastern Norwegian) synonym of tufte


Loke

Loken (definite)
Lokje (alternative)
Lòkje (alternative)

From Old Norse Loki, related to loge (“flame”). Cognate with Faroese and Icelandic Loki and Swedish Locke.

Lokje dengjer Bon’e sine.

Loke Langbein

(folklore) a being, wight (particularly one that lives in the fire):


varulv

varulv m (definite singular varulven, indefinite plural varulvar, definite plural varulvane)

varulven (definite singular)
varulvar (indefinite plural)
varulvane (definite plural)

From Middle Low German warwulf, from Proto-West Germanic *werawulf.


scripte

scripte (present tense scriptar, past tense scripta, past participle scripta, passive infinitive scriptast, present participle scriptande, imperative scripte/script)

scriptar (present)
scripta (past)
scripta (participle past)
scriptast (infinitive passive)
scriptande (participle present)
scripte (imperative)
script (imperative)
scripta (alternative)
skripta (alternative)
skripte (alternative)

(intransitive, cinematography) to work, act as a script supervisor


linnorm

linnorm m (definite singular linnormen, indefinite plural linnormar, definite plural linnormane)

linnormen (definite singular)
linnormar (indefinite plural)
linnormane (definite plural)

From Old Norse linnormr (“constrictor snake”). Cognate to English lindworm and German Lindwurm (“dragon”).

der

(folklore) A beast resembling a large, serpentine dragon; a lindworm


heite

heite n (definite singular heitet, indefinite plural heite, definite plural heita)

heitet (definite singular)
heite (indefinite plural)
heita (definite plural)


bunden

bunden (neuter bunde, definite singular and plural bundne, comparative bundnare, indefinite superlative bundnast, definite superlative bundnaste)

bunde (neuter)
bundne (definite plural singular)
bundnare (comparative)
bundnast (indefinite superlative)
bundnaste (definite superlative)

(poetry) Characterized by strict adherence to rhyme and/or metre


marsbuar

marsbuar m (definite singular marsbuaren, indefinite plural marsbuarar, definite plural marsbuarane)

marsbuaren (definite singular)
marsbuarar (indefinite plural)
marsbuarane (definite plural)
Mars-buar (alternative)

From Mars (“Mars”) + buar (“inhabitant, one who inhabits”).


hamløypar

hamløypar m (definite singular hamløyparen, indefinite plural hamløyparar, definite plural hamløyparane)

hamløyparen (definite singular)
hamløyparar (indefinite plural)
hamløyparane (definite plural)

From Old Norse hamhleypa f. Compare Swedish hamnlöpare, Danish hamløber and Norwegian Bokmål hamløper.

(folklore) shapeshifter (usually a human changing his/her shape into a wolf or bear by will)


varp

varp n (definite singular varpet, indefinite plural varp, definite plural varpa)

varpet (definite singular)
varp (indefinite plural)
varpa (definite plural)

(folklore) a heap of stones set nearby a way or forest path because of different reasons. According to the traditional belief, the trespassers must throw stones, coins or sticks onto this heap.


Vigga

(newspapers) A local newspaper in Lesja and Dovre


gyger

gyger f (definite singular gygra, indefinite plural gygrar or gygrer, definite plural gygrane or gygrene)

gygra (definite singular)
gygrar (indefinite plural)
gygrer (indefinite plural)
gygrane (definite plural)
gygrene (definite plural)
gygr (alternative)
gjure (alternative dialectal)
gjøgr (alternative dialectal)
gyvr (alternative dialectal)
gyr (alternative dialectal)
gjør (alternative dialectal)
gjuvr (alternative dialectal)
gjur (alternative dialectal)
gjure (alternative dialectal)

(folklore, Norse mythology) a giantess, female jotun, female troll


reportasje

reportasje m (definite singular reportasjen, indefinite plural reportasjar, definite plural reportasjane)

reportasjen (definite singular)
reportasjar (indefinite plural)
reportasjane (definite plural)


replikk

replikk m (definite singular replikken, indefinite plural replikkar, definite plural replikkane)

replikken (definite singular)
replikkar (indefinite plural)
replikkane (definite plural)


etterord

etterord n (definite singular etterordet, indefinite plural etterord, definite plural etterorda)

etterordet (definite singular)
etterord (indefinite plural)
etterorda (definite plural)


spøkelse

spøkelse n (definite singular spøkelset, indefinite plural spøkelse, definite plural spøkelsa)

spøkelset (definite singular)
spøkelse (indefinite plural)
spøkelsa (definite plural)
spøkjelse (alternative)

(folklore) apparition, ghost, spectre, specter (US), spook


sjanger

sjanger m (definite singular sjangeren, indefinite plural sjangrar, definite plural sjangrane)

sjangeren (definite singular)
sjangrar (indefinite plural)
sjangrane (definite plural)
genre (alternative)

From French genre, from Latin genus, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵénh₁os (“race”), of the root *ǵenh₁-. Doublet of genus and kjønn.


impresjonisme

nn-noun-unc

impresjonisme m (definite singular impresjonismen, uncountable)


akutt

akutt m (definite singular akutten, indefinite plural akuttar, definite plural akuttane)

akutten (definite singular)
akuttar (indefinite plural)
akuttane (definite plural)

From Latin acutus. The noun is derived from the adjective.


pressekonferanse

pressekonferanse m (definite singular pressekonferansen, indefinite plural pressekonferansar, definite plural pressekonferansane)

pressekonferansen (definite singular)
pressekonferansar (indefinite plural)
pressekonferansane (definite plural)


typograf

typograf m (definite singular typografen, indefinite plural typografar, definite plural typografane)

typografen (definite singular)
typografar (indefinite plural)
typografane (definite plural)


korrektur

korrektur m (definite singular korrekturen, indefinite plural korrekturar, definite plural korrekturane)

korrekturen (definite singular)
korrekturar (indefinite plural)
korrekturane (definite plural)

lese korrektur - to proofread


tuss

tuss m (definite singular tussen, indefinite plural tussar, definite plural tussane)

tussen (definite singular)
tussar (indefinite plural)
tussane (definite plural)
tusse (alternative)

From Old Norse þurs, þuss, from Proto-Germanic *þursaz, *þurisaz. Cognates include dialectal English thurse.

(folklore, also collective) a kind of subterranean wight


kronikør

kronikør m (definite singular kronikøren, indefinite plural kronikørar, definite plural kronikørane)

kronikøren (definite singular)
kronikørar (indefinite plural)
kronikørane (definite plural)

(journalism) columnist, writer of feature articles


storstilt

storstilt (indefinite singular storstilt, definite singular and plural storstilte)

storstilt (indefinite singular)
storstilte (definite plural singular)
storstila (alternative)

From stor + stilt (“past participle of stile”).

af

past participle of <i class="Latn mention" lang="nb">stile</i>


filmavis

filmavis f (definite singular filmavisa, indefinite plural filmaviser, definite plural filmavisene)

filmavisa (definite singular)
filmaviser (indefinite plural)
filmavisene (definite plural)


ufred

ufred m (definite singular ufreden, indefinite plural ufredar, definite plural ufredane)

ufreden (definite singular)
ufredar (indefinite plural)
ufredane (definite plural)

From u- + fred, or possibly inherited directly from Old Norse úfriðr.


kjenning

kjenning m (definite singular kjenningen, indefinite plural kjenningar, definite plural kjenningane)

kjenningen (definite singular)
kjenningar (indefinite plural)
kjenningane (definite plural)
kenning (alternative)

From kjenne + -ing. Masculine sense 2 is a Semantic loan from Old Norse kenning.


gysar

gysar m (definite singular gysaren, indefinite plural gysarar, definite plural gysarane)

gysaren (definite singular)
gysarar (indefinite plural)
gysarane (definite plural)


tått

head

tått m (definite singular tåtten, indefinite plural tåttar or tætter, definite plural tåttane or tættene)

tåtten (definite singular)
tåttar (indefinite plural)
tætter (indefinite plural)
tåttane (definite plural)
tættene (definite plural)

From Old Norse þáttr, from Proto-Germanic *þēhtuz and Proto-Germanic *þanhtaz. Doublet of tott.

(literature, Norse) a short part of a literary work (be it a poem, saga, law codices, etc.)


gjø

gjø f (definite singular gjøa, indefinite plural gjøer, definite plural gjøene)

gjøa (definite singular)
gjøer (indefinite plural)
gjøene (definite plural)
go (alternative)
jo (alternative)

From Old Norse gói, gœ. Cognate with Icelandic góa and Swedish gya/göja. Attested as Giø-Maana by David Klim in the second half of the 17th century. Attested as Giøe by Jacob Nicolai Wilse in 1780 in his dictionary of Spydeberg dialect, referring to a period in January (perhaps confusing with Thorri). Attested by Hans Jacob Wille in 1786 as Giø, synonymous with February.

(folklore, Trøndersk, Nord-Gudbrandsdalen) a period between February 12 and March 13 associated with black magic


jutul

jutul m (definite singular jutulen, indefinite plural jutlar, definite plural jutlane)

jutulen (definite singular)
jutlar (indefinite plural)
jutlane (definite plural)

(folklore, Norse mythology) alternative form of jøtul (“giant”)


merisme

merisme m (definite singular merismen, indefinite plural merismar, definite plural merismane)

merismen (definite singular)
merismar (indefinite plural)
merismane (definite plural)

From Ancient Greek μερισμός (merismós). Compare μέρος (méros, “part”).


akutt-teikn

akutt-teikn n (definite singular akutt-teiknet, indefinite plural akutt-teikn, definite plural akutt-teikna)

akutt-teiknet (definite singular)
akutt-teikn (indefinite plural)
akutt-teikna (definite plural)
akutteikn (alternative)


eg-form

eg-form f (definite singular eg-forma, indefinite plural eg-former, definite plural eg-formene)

eg-forma (definite singular)
eg-former (indefinite plural)
eg-formene (definite plural)


eg-roman

eg-roman m (definite singular eg-romanen, indefinite plural eg-romanar, definite plural eg-romanane)

eg-romanen (definite singular)
eg-romanar (indefinite plural)
eg-romanane (definite plural)

(literature) a novel written in the first person


vignett

vignett m (definite singular vignetten, indefinite plural vignettar, definite plural vignettane)

vignetten (definite singular)
vignettar (indefinite plural)
vignettane (definite plural)


e-mål

e-mål n (definite singular e-målet, indefinite plural e-mål, definite plural e-måla)

e-målet (definite singular)
e-mål (indefinite plural)
e-måla (definite plural)

(linguistics, orthography) Norwegian dialect or style of writing which uses the -e ending in infinitive and/or the indefinite singular of weak feminine nouns.


NRK

Norsk rikskringkasting
w:Norsk rikskringkasting

(broadcasting) initialism of Norsk rikskringkasting, a state owned public broadcaster of Norway.


lyktemann

nn-noun-comireg

lyktemann m (definite singular lyktemannen, indefinite plural lyktemenn, definite plural lyktemennene)

lyktemannen (definite singular)
lyktemenn (indefinite plural)
lyktemennene (definite plural)

From lykt (“lantern”) + -e- + mann (“man”).

(folklore) will o' the wisp, thought to be children who died unbaptized, never finding their final rest


haugbu

haugbu m (definite singular haugbuen, indefinite plural haugbuar, definite plural haugbuane)

haugbuen (definite singular)
haugbuar (indefinite plural)
haugbuane (definite plural)

(folklore) a wight who lives in a burial mound and occasionally snatches human children


lussinatt

lussinatt f (definite singular lussinatta, indefinite plural lussinetter, definite plural lussinettene)

lussinatta (definite singular)
lussinetter (indefinite plural)
lussinettene (definite plural)

From Lussi + natt (“night”). The first part was a norwegianized form of the Latin name Lucia (“Lucy”), after the 4th century Sicilian martyr Saint Lucy. However, in Norwegian folklore, Lussi came to refer to a wight, who would wreak havoc on the night of the winter solstice, as in the Julian calendar which was used at the time, winter solstice fell on Saint Lucy's. Due to her oft malignant nature, some have proposed a connection to Lucifer as an etymological influence.
Either name is related to lux (“light”), ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *lewk-.

(Christianity, folklore) eve of, night before the Day of Saint Lucy, December 13th, in folklore thought to be the longest night of the year


klabautermann

klabautermann m (definite singular klabautermannen, indefinite plural klabautermenn, definite plural klabautermennene)

klabautermannen (definite singular)
klabautermenn (indefinite plural)
klabautermennene (definite plural)


treakts

treakts (plural singular)
triakts (alternative)


tufte

tufte m (definite singular tuften, indefinite plural tuftar, definite plural tuftane)

tuften (definite singular)
tuftar (indefinite plural)
tuftane (definite plural)
tuft (alternative)

From tuft (“ground, land, property”), from Old Norse tupt, topt, from Proto-Germanic *tumþiz and/or *tumftō. Compare Swedish tomte.

(folklore) a being that lives in (and guards) farmsteads, often thought to be the ancestor who cleared the land


gardvord

gardvord m (definite singular gardvorden, indefinite plural gardvordar, definite plural gardvordane)

gardvorden (definite singular)
gardvordar (indefinite plural)
gardvordane (definite plural)
gardsvord (alternative)

/²ɡaːɽ.vuːɽ/

From Old Norse garðvǫrðr, from garðr (“farm”) + vǫrðr (“ward”), whence also gard and vord. Cognate with Icelandic garðvörður.

So bar dei ut mat og øl åt gardvorden. Dette var den mannen som rudde og bygde garden, jamleg ein gamal ættfar

1965, Halldor O. Opedal, Hardangerminne: festskrift til Halldor O. Opedal på 70-årsdagen den 26. mai 1965, page 71:

Then they carried out foot and beer to the farm ward. This was the man who cleared and built the farm, often an old ancestor

Garvoren hev i mannatanken menneskeskapnad; men er jamt liten av vokster.

1996, Turstiar og kulturminne i Hovdebygda, Hovdebygda soge- og velferdslag, page 71:

The farm ward is thought to resemble a human, but is often small.


tuftekall

tuftekall m (definite singular tuftekallen, indefinite plural tuftekallar, definite plural tuftekallane)

tuftekallen (definite singular)
tuftekallar (indefinite plural)
tuftekallane (definite plural)
toftekall (alternative dialectal)

From tufte (“house spirit”) + kall (“man”).

(folklore) a male being that lives in (and guards) farmsteads


tuftekjerring

tuftekjerring f (definite singular tuftekjerringa, indefinite plural tuftekjerringar, definite plural tuftekjerringane)

tuftekjerringa (definite singular)
tuftekjerringar (indefinite plural)
tuftekjerringane (definite plural)

/²tʊftəçɛrɪŋ/

From tufte (“house spirit”) + kjerring (“woman, wife”).

compound

(folklore) a female being that lives in (and guards) farmsteads


feigdarfugl

feigdarfugl m (definite singular feigdarfuglen, indefinite plural feigdarfuglar, definite plural feigdarfuglane)

feigdarfuglen (definite singular)
feigdarfuglar (indefinite plural)
feigdarfuglane (definite plural)
fægdafåggel (alternative)
fægdføggel (alternative)
fegdafugl (alternative)

From feigd (“death omen”) + fugl (“bird”).

(folklore) a bird which gives omen that somebody will die soon


vardøger

vardøger n (definite singular vardøgeret, indefinite plural vardøger, definite plural vardøgera)

vardøgeret (definite singular)
vardøger (indefinite plural)
vardøgera (definite plural)
vardøge (alternative dialectal)
vardøgge (alternative dialectal)
vardøgle (alternative dialectal)
vardaug (alternative dialectal)
vardyvle (alternative dialectal)
vardyger (alternative dialectal)
Valdøger (alternative)

(folklore) a déjà vu in reverse, where the vardøger-spirit precedes a person in a location or activity, resulting in witnesses believing they've seen or heard the actual person before the person physically arrives. It can occur not only like a doppelganger of a person, but also a doppelganger of an animal or a car-driving person.


tussebit

tussebit m (definite singular tussebiten, indefinite plural tussebitar, definite plural tussebitane)

tussebiten (definite singular)
tussebitar (indefinite plural)
tussebitane (definite plural)

From tuss (“Subterranean”) + bit (“bite”). Literally, a bite of the Subterraneans.

(folklore) a damage from an unvisible bite of a mythical Subterranean wight. Can occur when walking on top of a Subterranean house, or if drinking water from a river at night time. May have parallels in other cultures under other names.


varskrik

varskrik n (definite singular varskriket, indefinite plural varskrik, definite plural varskrika)

varskriket (definite singular)
varskrik (indefinite plural)
varskrika (definite plural)

From vare (“to warn”) + skrik (“cry, scream”).

(folklore, Toten, Telemål) a sound from a swamp, which is traditionally explained as voice of a nøkk, who is warning that somebody is going to drown in the swamp soon


løysingsstein

løysingsstein m (definite singular løysingssteinen, indefinite plural løysingssteinar, definite plural løysingssteinane)

løysingssteinen (definite singular)
løysingssteinar (indefinite plural)
løysingssteinane (definite plural)

From løysing + -s- + stein. Compare Norwegian Bokmål løsningsstein.

(folklore) a stone-like object used for helping women to give birth according to old Norwegian and Sami folk medicine. Can be e.g. a tropical Entada bean taken by the Gulf Stream to the shore of North Norway


omnkall

omnkall m (definite singular omnkallen, indefinite plural omnkallar, definite plural omnkallane)

omnkallen (definite singular)
omnkallar (indefinite plural)
omnkallane (definite plural)

(folklore) a human-shaped statuette used e.g. as protection against evil spirits


gandfluge

gandfluge f (definite singular gandfluga, indefinite plural gandfluger, definite plural gandflugene)

gandfluga (definite singular)
gandfluger (indefinite plural)
gandflugene (definite plural)

From gand (“magic”) + fluge (“a fly”). Compare to Norwegian Bokmål gandflue and Swedish ganfluga.

(folklore) magic force in form of a fly, similar to Komi-Zyrian шева (ševa), Southern Sami gane-čurek and Northern Sami [Term?]; usually a disease sent through air by a wizard.


Svarteskolen

From svart (“black”) + -e- + skolen (“the school”). Similar to Icelandic Svartiskóli.

(folklore) a black magic school near Wittenberg, Germany


gandfugl

gandfugl m (definite singular gandfuglen, indefinite plural gandfuglar, definite plural gandfuglane)

gandfuglen (definite singular)
gandfuglar (indefinite plural)
gandfuglane (definite plural)

(folklore) magic force in form of a bird


soloffer

soloffer n (definite singular solofferet, indefinite plural soloffer, definite plural soloffera)

solofferet (definite singular)
soloffer (indefinite plural)
soloffera (definite plural)

(folklore) various forms of butter offering for the Sun practised in Norway


utburd

utburd m (definite singular utburden, indefinite plural utburdar, definite plural utburdane)

utburden (definite singular)
utburdar (indefinite plural)
utburdane (definite plural)
utbol (alternative)

From Old Norse útburðr. Attested as Vdboer in Christen Jensøn’s Norwegian Dictionary (1646).

(folklore) a ghost of a newborn baby, who died before it got baptized


skrikar

skrikar m (definite singular skrikaren, indefinite plural skrikarar, definite plural skrikarane)

skrikaren (definite singular)
skrikarar (indefinite plural)
skrikarane (definite plural)

(folklore, Trøndersk) an unbaptized baby ghost, the same as utburd


marekors

marekors n (definite singular marekorset, indefinite plural marekors, definite plural marekorsa)

marekorset (definite singular)
marekors (indefinite plural)
marekorsa (definite plural)
murukors (alternative dialectal)
marekross (alternative)

From mare (“mare, the evil night spirit”) + kors (“cross”).

(folklore) a pentagram or a pentacle carved in a wall (or on a door) with an iron knife (or painted with tar) as protection against evil spirits


Svarteboka

From svart (“black”) + -e- + boka (“the book”).

Svartboka (alternative)
Svarteboki (alternative)
Svartboki (alternative)
Svartebokja (alternative dialectal)
Svartbokja (alternative dialectal)

(folklore) a mythical book with instructions for use of different kinds of magic, written by St. Cyprianus (or Kyphrianus) or by the Devil himself. The book is said to be used in Svarteskolen or is coming from there.


svarteboksprest

svarteboksprest m (definite singular svartebokspresten, indefinite plural svarteboksprestar, definite plural svarteboksprestane)

svartebokspresten (definite singular)
svarteboksprestar (indefinite plural)
svarteboksprestane (definite plural)

(folklore) a priest suspected in use of occult magic, or a priest who is actually using it, especially due to possessing a magic book


årevette

årevette n (definite singular årevettet, indefinite plural årevette, definite plural årevetta)

årevettet (definite singular)
årevette (indefinite plural)
årevetta (definite plural)

(folklore) a wight living under the hearth


bustein

bustein m (definite singular busteinen, indefinite plural busteinar, definite plural busteinane)

busteinen (definite singular)
busteinar (indefinite plural)
busteinane (definite plural)

(folklore) a magic stone or stone-like object used in old Norwegian folk medicine and folk veterinary


torevatn

nn-noun-unc

torevatn n (definite singular torevatnet, uncountable)

(folklore) rainwater (sometimes collected in a special hole in a stone), used in Northern European folk medicine


Salomos segl

Salomos segl n (definite singular Salomos seglet, indefinite plural Salomos segl, definite plural Salomos segla)

Salomos seglet (definite singular)
Salomos segl (indefinite plural)
Salomos segla (definite plural)

Calque of Latin sigillum Salomonis. As the white flower name of is similar to Swedish, English and Danish.

(folklore, tradition, magic) the Solomon's seal (the magic symbol in old and modern magic traditions in Norway, often like a hexagram)


Nyårsnavar

From nyår (“New Year”) + navar (“auger”).

Nyttårsnavar (alternative)
Nyttårsnåvvår (alternative)
Nyårsnåvvår (alternative)

(culture of Trøndelag, folklore) an auger-like monster which makes holes in house walls every New Year night


slagbjørn

slagbjørn m (definite singular slagbjørnen, indefinite plural slagbjørnar, definite plural slagbjørnane)

slagbjørnen (definite singular)
slagbjørnar (indefinite plural)
slagbjørnane (definite plural)

(folklore) A bear which prefers a carnivorous diet, especially which kills livestock and humans


myrbjørn

myrbjørn m (definite singular myrbjørnen, indefinite plural myrbjørnar, definite plural myrbjørnane)

myrbjørnen (definite singular)
myrbjørnar (indefinite plural)
myrbjørnane (definite plural)

(folklore) A bear which prefers a vegetarian diet


grasbjørn

grasbjørn m (definite singular grasbjørnen, indefinite plural grasbjørnar, definite plural grasbjørnane)

grasbjørnen (definite singular)
grasbjørnar (indefinite plural)
grasbjørnane (definite plural)

From gras + bjørn. Similar to Swedish gräsbjörn (“a young vegetarian bear”)


fakse

fakse m (definite singular faksen, indefinite plural faksar, definite plural faksane)

faksen (definite singular)
faksar (indefinite plural)
faksane (definite plural)
foksi (alternative)

(folklore) an idol-like figure (name of several wooden figures used until ca. year 1890 in Setesdal in the local para-heathen tradition)


sjødåp

nn-noun-unc

sjødåp m (definite singular sjødåpen, uncountable)

(folklore) a ritual, when a newborn child being taken on a boat into the sea got to drink sea water from an empty snailshell, with purpose to get along with the sea spirit when this child grows up as a fisherman or sailor


Gjallarbru

Gjallarbrua (definite)
Gjaddarbru (alternative)
Gjeddarbru (alternative)
Gjeddarbro (alternative)
Gjæddarbro (alternative)
Gjalarbro (alternative)
Gjallarbro (alternative)
Jedarbro (alternative)
Jeddarbro (alternative)
Jæddarbro (alternative)
Haddanbru (alternative)

Inherited from Old Norse Gjallarbrú, from Gjǫll (“mythic river”) + brú (“bridge”). Compare Swedish Gillebro and Danish Gældebro.

Eg hev gengid Gjallarbrui,
Hon er ekki god at gange,
Bikkja bit og ormen sting
Og stuten stend og stangar

I went on the Gjallarbru-bridge,
It isn't good to walk on
The dog bites and the snake stings
And the ox stands and butts

(folklore, Christianity) a legendary bridge through which the souls of humans go after death, mentioned in the Norwegian ballade “Draumkvedet”


fornyrdeslag

fornyrdeslag n (definite singular fornyrdeslaget, uncountable)

fornyrdeslaget (definite singular)
fornyrdislag (alternative)

Semi-learned borrowing from Old Norse fornyrðislag.

slbor

De greidaste og lettaste versemaale, og som dei eldste visune er dikta i, er Fornyrdeslag med 8 eller 6 radir i kvart vers og 2 verse-føtar i kvar rad.

1900, Steinar Schjøtt, Kongesogur, page 4:

The simplest and easiest metre that the old poems are written in, is Fornyrðislag with 8 or 6 rows in each verse and two feet in each row.


var dokk

(folklore) a phrase said to the legendary subterranean people, when something which may harm them (e.g. a stone or boiling water), is going to be thrown on the ground


Olavskjelda

(folklore, Christianity) name of several wellheads in Norway attributed to Saint Olav


marekvist

head

marekvist m (definite singular marekvisten, indefinite plural marekvister or marekvistar, definite plural marekvistene or marekvistane)

marekvisten (definite singular)
marekvister (indefinite plural)
marekvistar (indefinite plural)
marekvistene (definite plural)
marekvistane (definite plural)
murrukvest (alternative)
murikvist (alternative)

(botany, folklore) witch's broom (a mutated tree branch)


marespjeld

marespjeld n (definite singular marespjeldet, indefinite plural marespjeld, definite plural marespjelda)

marespjeldet (definite singular)
marespjeld (indefinite plural)
marespjelda (definite plural)
muruspjeld (alternative dialectal)
muruspjell (alternative dialectal)
murruspjeld (alternative dialectal)
muruspjøll (alternative dialectal)

(folklore) a symbol, often similar to a chessboard, used against nightmare demons


kortbølgje

kortbølgje f (definite singular kortbølgja, indefinite plural kortbølgjer, definite plural kortbølgjene)

kortbølgja (definite singular)
kortbølgjer (indefinite plural)
kortbølgjene (definite plural)
kortbylgje (alternative)
kortbølge (alternative)


Håkkå

(folklore) an islet on the coast of Trøndelag, Norway, nearby the Tarva islands. The islet was very swampy and had no vegetation other than heather. The islet sunk into the ocean around 1890-s. Local fishers used to throw fish on this islet in order to get good luck in fishing.


mannbjørn

mannbjørn m (definite singular mannbjørnen, indefinite plural mannbjørnar, definite plural mannbjørnane)

mannbjørnen (definite singular)
mannbjørnar (indefinite plural)
mannbjørnane (definite plural)

(folklore) a hamløypar which can transform into a bear


finnball

finnball m (definite singular finnballen, indefinite plural finnballar, definite plural finnballane)

finnballen (definite singular)
finnballar (indefinite plural)
finnballane (definite plural)

From finn + ball, referring to Sami shamans.
(hairball): Attested as finbal by Jacob Nicolai Wilse in 1780 in his dictionary of Spydeberg dialect.

(folklore) a magic hairball, which can be found in cow stomach

(folklore) magic force in form of a ball, e.g. a disease sent through air by a wizard, similar to gandfluge, Swedish villappaskott and Komi-Zyrian шева (ševa).


klumsa

klumsa (present tense klumsar, past tense klumsa, past participle klumsa, passive infinitive klumsast, present participle klumsande, imperative klumsa/klums)

klumsar (present)
klumsa (past)
klumsa (participle past)
klumsast (infinitive passive)
klumsande (participle present)
klumsa (imperative)
klums (imperative)
klumse (alternative)
klomse (alternative pronunciation-spelling)
klomsa (alternative pronunciation-spelling)

(folklore) to hex animals (usually cattle or bears)

(folklore) to hex somebody to be mute or lame


skrømt

skrømt n (definite singular skrømtet, indefinite plural skrømt, definite plural skrømta)

skrømtet (definite singular)
skrømt (indefinite plural)
skrømta (definite plural)
skrymt (alternative)

Attested at least since 1780. Probably related to skremma.


brudled

brudled n (definite singular brudledet, indefinite plural brudled, definite plural brudleda)

brudledet (definite singular)
brudled (indefinite plural)
brudleda (definite plural)
brurled (alternative)
brureled (alternative)
brudeled (alternative)
brudlid (alternative)
brule (alternative)
brudle (alternative)
brurle (alternative)
brurele (alternative)

From brud + led. Literally, “bride path”.

(folklore, archaeology, Setesdalsk, Sirdal dialect, Telemål) a line (or lines) of stones placed along a mountain path for wedding travels to a church from a village without a church; it is common to have a phallic stone (pikkstein) placed in such lines; there are over a hundred such places in Norway, but only one is still in use


vêrkvist

vêrkvist m (definite singular vêrkvisten, indefinite plural vêrkvister or vêrkvistar, definite plural vêrkvistene or vêrkvistane)

vêrkvisten (definite singular)
vêrkvister (indefinite plural)
vêrkvistar (indefinite plural)
vêrkvistene (definite plural)
vêrkvistane (definite plural)

From vêr + kvist. Literally, “weather twig”. Compare Norwegian Bokmål værkvist.

(folklore, mainly in Telemark) A piece of a pine or a spruce with a twig, attached to a wall, so that the twig is sticking out horizontally. According to popular belief, the twig goes down when rain is gonna come, and goes up when it is gonna be good weather.


hestbjørn

hestbjørn m (definite singular hestbjørnen, indefinite plural hestbjørnar, definite plural hestbjørnane)

hestbjørnen (definite singular)
hestbjørnar (indefinite plural)
hestbjørnane (definite plural)

From hest + bjørn. Literally, “horse bear”, referring to killing of horses and other livestock, compare Swedish hästbjörn.

(folklore) A bear which prefers a carnivorous diet, especially which kills livestock and humans


tanntroll

tanntroll n (definite singular tanntrollet, indefinite plural tanntroll, definite plural tanntrolla)

tanntrollet (definite singular)
tanntroll (indefinite plural)
tanntrolla (definite plural)

→ Finnish: hammaspeikko (calque)

From tann (“tooth”) + troll (“troll”); popularised by the 1949 book Karius og Baktus written by Thorbjørn Egner.

Brennheit elder iskald mat og drykk er reint gale for tennerne. Glasuren smell sund, og straks hev ein eit hôl, der tanntrolli ét seg inn; og so er det tannverk.

1899, Hulda Garborg, Heimestell, page 13:

Glowing hot or ice cold food and drinks are outright bad for the teeth. The glaze [i.e. enamel] breaks, and soon you have a hole, where the teeth trolls eat themselves in; and then there is tooth ache.

(folklore) a tooth troll, used metaphorically to teach children about tooth decay (caries)


såstein

såstein m (definite singular såsteinen, indefinite plural såsteinar, definite plural såsteinane)

såsteinen (definite singular)
såsteinar (indefinite plural)
såsteinane (definite plural)

From så + stein. Literally, “sowing stone”. May be coined by ethnographs or archaeologists, as the most of such stones known today were originally not called såstein, while most of the oldest ones have no known purpose.

(folklore) a phallic stone smeared with butter at a certain day of spring as a part of sowing ritual (after the Christianization of Norway)


pikkstein

pikkstein m (definite singular pikksteinen, indefinite plural pikksteinar, definite plural pikksteinane)

pikksteinen (definite singular)
pikksteinar (indefinite plural)
pikksteinane (definite plural)

(folklore) A ritualistic phallic stone, especially used in brudled


nåljos

nåljos n (definite singular nåljoset, indefinite plural nåljos, definite plural nåljosa)

nåljoset (definite singular)
nåljos (indefinite plural)
nåljosa (definite plural)


draugljos

draugljos n (definite singular draugljoset, indefinite plural draugljos, definite plural draugljosa)

draugljoset (definite singular)
draugljos (indefinite plural)
draugljosa (definite plural)
drauvljøs (alternative)


daudmannljos

daudmannljos n (definite singular daudmannljoset, indefinite plural daudmannljos, definite plural daudmannljosa)

daudmannljoset (definite singular)
daudmannljos (indefinite plural)
daudmannljosa (definite plural)
daudmannsljos (alternative)
daumannljos (alternative)
daumannslys (alternative)
daudmannslys (alternative)
daumannlys (alternative)
daumannslys (alternative)

From daudmann + ljos. Literally, “dead man’s light”.


varljos

varljos n (definite singular varljoset, indefinite plural varljos, definite plural varljosa)

varljoset (definite singular)
varljos (indefinite plural)
varljosa (definite plural)

From vare + ljos. Literally, “warning light”. Compare varskrik.


Stor-Pe

Literally, “Big Pe”, where Pe is dialectal form of Per. The three stars of Orion’s belt, according to a superstition story, are three fishermen all having name Pe, and when the highest of them (Mintaka) is brightest, a storm will come soon.


gjera åt

gjera åt (present tense gjer åt, past tense gjorde åt)

(folklore) to heal (esp. by using magic)


gjera att

gjera att (present tense gjer att, past tense gjorde att)

(folklore) to find stolen things by using magic, e.g. to make the thief have pain until he returnes the stolen thing, or find out who the thief is or where the stolen thing is


vise att

vise att (present tense viser att, past tense viste att)

(folklore) to summon ghosts of dead people


haugety

nn-noun-unc

haugety n (definite singular haugetyet, uncountable)

haugetyet (definite singular)
haugty (alternative)

From haug + ty. Literally, “tumuli kin”.

(folklore, Nord-Gudbrandsdalen, Telemål, Numedalsmål) wights, who live in burial mounds


marekvast

marekvast m (definite singular marekvasten, indefinite plural marekvastar, definite plural marekvastane)

marekvasten (definite singular)
marekvastar (indefinite plural)
marekvastane (definite plural)
murukvast (alternative)
murugvåst (alternative)

From mare + kvast. Literally, “mare’s broom”.


byting

byting m (definite singular bytingen, indefinite plural bytingar, definite plural bytingane)

bytingen (definite singular)
bytingar (indefinite plural)
bytingane (definite plural)

(folklore) a changeling (a child of the Subterraneans that was secretly exchanged for a human child)


fjetra

fjetra (present tense fjetrar, past tense fjetra, past participle fjetra, passive infinitive fjetrast, present participle fjetrande, imperative fjetra/fjetr)

fjetrar (present)
fjetra (past)
fjetra (participle past)
fjetrast (infinitive passive)
fjetrande (participle present)
fjetra (imperative)
fjetr (imperative)
fjetre (alternative)

(folklore) to hex somebody to be lame (motionless)


tjærekors

tjærekors n (definite singular tjærekorset, indefinite plural tjærekors, definite plural tjærekorsa)

tjærekorset (definite singular)
tjærekors (indefinite plural)
tjærekorsa (definite plural)
tjærekross (alternative)
tjørekors (alternative)
tjørekross (alternative)
tjørukross (alternative Midlandsnormalen)
tjurukross (alternative dialectal)
tjurukors (alternative dialectal)
tjyrukross (alternative)

(folklore) a cross painted on a wall or door with tar as protection against evil spirits

Løe-kros

of the tar cross listed by David Klim in the 17th century


vadhald

vadhald n (definite singular vadhaldet, uncountable)

vadhaldet (definite singular)
vahaill (alternative Northern pronunciation-spelling)

From vad (“fishing line”) + hald (“grip”).

(folklore, Northern Norway) sexual intercourse before fishing, for the purpose of getting a good catch


draugkakk

draugkakk n (definite singular draugkakket, indefinite plural draugkakk, definite plural draugkakka)

draugkakket (definite singular)
draugkakk (indefinite plural)
draugkakka (definite plural)

From draug (“ghost, undead”) + kakk (“knock”).

com

Ein gong døydde det ei ung jente på ein av Klungervik-gardane. Ei gamal kjerring hørte draugkakk eit par dagar føreå[t]. Det er vel ei hundre år sidan no.

1969, Henrik Sødal, I gammeltida: folkeminne frå Hemne prestegjeld, page 116:

One time, a young girl died on one of the Klungervik farms. An old woman heard ghost knocks a couple of days beforehand. It must be some hundred years ago now.

(folklore) a death omen in the form of knocking sounds in the walls of a house