needfire etymology

Etymology and Origin

• Origin: Germanic languages
• Etymology: from Proto-Germanic *nauðifairaz (literally "fire of need")

Meaning

• Needfire: A new fire kindled by friction or percussion, especially in traditional ceremonies or rituals, often believed to possess supernatural properties or ward off evil.

Additional Information

• The term "needfire" has been used in English since the 15th century.
• In folklore and mythology, needfires were often associated with fertility, purification, and protection from evil spirits.
• The process of creating a needfire could be laborious and required the participation of the entire community.
• Needfires were also used for practical purposes, such as lighting a new hearth or signaling for help.
• The tradition of creating needfires is still practiced in some cultures, particularly in rural areas, where they are valued for their symbolic and ritual significance.

needfire relate terms

• fire

  Etymology The word fire comes from the Old English fīr which is ultimately derived

• fiery

  Etymology The word fiery derives from the Old French word fiëre meaning fierce o

• water

  Etymology The word water originates from the Old English word wæter which is deriv

• need

  Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek words étymon meaning true m

• identity

  Etymology Identity derives from the Latin word identitas which in turn comes from the

• bacteria

  Etymology Bacterial derives from the Greek word βακτήριον bakterion meani

• discourse

  Etymology Discourse n comes from the Old French descourir from the Latin discurrere

• habit

  Etymology The word habit comes from the Old French word abit which is ultimately d

• deliver

  Etymology Latin deferre to bear away bring down Proto Indo European dʰer to

• protagonist

  Etymology The word protagonist is derived from the Greek words protos meaning fir

• countenance

  Etymology From Old French contenance appearance from Medieval Latin continentia

• reefer

  Etymology The term reefer has various etymological origins Spanish rifa meaning

• career

  Etymology Late Middle English cariere from Anglo Norman French cariere from Old Fren