runic etymology

Etymology

The word "rune" comes from the Proto-Germanic word rūnō, which is related to the Old Norse word *rúnar. The word rūnō is thought to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *rew-, meaning "to carve" or "to scratch".

Meaning

Runes are a set of alphabetic characters that were used by the Germanic peoples from the 2nd century AD to the 17th century AD. Runes were used for writing both secular and religious texts, and they were also used for magical purposes.

Origin

The earliest known runes were found on a bone that was discovered in Denmark in the early 20th century. The bone is dated to the 2nd century AD, and it contains a short inscription that is written in the Elder Futhark, the oldest known runic alphabet.

The Elder Futhark consisted of 24 runes, and it was used by the Germanic peoples of Scandinavia and northern Germany. Over time, the Elder Futhark evolved into a number of different runic alphabets, including the Younger Futhark, which was used by the Vikings.

Runes were eventually replaced by the Latin alphabet in most parts of Europe, but they continued to be used in some isolated areas until the 17th century AD. Runes are still used today by some practitioners of Germanic neopaganism.

runic relate terms

  • rune

    Etymology and Origin of Rune The word rune is derived from the Proto Germanic word r

  • Runnymede

    Etymology and Meaning of Runnymede The name Runnymede is derived from Old English and c

  • thorn

    Etymology The word thorn comes from the Old English word þorn which in turn comes f

  • make up

    Etymology Make Old English macian meaning to form create or produce Up Old Eng

  • bust

    Etymology The word bust has two distinct etymologies depending on its meaning Meaning

  • dominion

    Etymology Latin dominium lordship dominion Proto Indo European dem to tame s

  • frog march

    Etymology The term frog march is believed to have originated in the 17th century It is

  • abyss

    Etymology The word abyss comes from the Greek word ἄβυσσος abyssos which m

  • perfection

    Etymology From Latin perfectionem state of being complete finished or flawless