Atter (Old Norse: eitr) is an older term for "poisonous bodily fluid", especially venom of a venomous animal, such as a snake, dragon or other reptile, but also other vile corrupt or morbid substance from the body, such as pus from a sore or wound, as well as bitter substance, such as bile.[1][2][3] Figuratively, it can also mean moral corruption or corruptness; noxious or corrupt influence, poison to the soul, evil, anger, envy, hatred; as well as destruction and death.[1][3]
Etymology edit
Atter is derived from Old English: ātor, cognate with Old Norse: eitr with the same meaning, which in turn derives from Proto-Germanic: *aitrą (“poison, pus”), stemming from a Proto-Indo-European:'*h₂eyd-ro-m' (“to swell; swelling, tumour, abscess”). It is cognate with terms in North Germanic languages such as Icelandic: eitur (“poison”) and Swedish: etter (same as English), both of which derive from Old Norse: eitr.[3]
Norse mythology edit
Today, atter is commonly associated with the Norse mythology, where it plays an important role in various contexts. In one instance in Gylfaginning, atter is dripped on Loki by a venomous snake placed above him by Skaði. In another, it is blown by the worm Jörmungandr during Ragnarök, leading to the death of Thor.[4][5][better source needed][6] Also in Gylfaginning, atter is described as forming in Ginnungagap, which gave rise to the primordial being Ymir,[7][8] as described by the jötunn Vafþrúðnir in Vafþrúðnismál:
Old Norse text[9][better source needed] | Bellows translation[10] |
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Citations edit
- ^ a b "atter n." quod.lib.umich.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
- ^ "atter". merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
- ^ a b c "etter". saob.se. Swedish Academy. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
- ^ Sturluson 2018, Gylfaginning, chapter 50 & 51.
- ^ Gylfaginning, Chapter 50 & 51.
- ^ Simek 2008, p. 324.
- ^ Sturluson 2018, Gylfaginning, chapter 5.
- ^ Gylfaginning, Chapter 5.
- ^ Vafþrúðnismál (ON), Stanza 31.
- ^ Bellows 2004, Vafþrúðnismál stanza 31.
Bibliography edit
Primary edit
- Bellows, Henry Adam (2004). The poetic Edda: the mythological poems. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications. ISBN 9780486437101.
- Sturluson, Snorri (2018). The Prose Edda. Translated by Brodeur, Arthur Gilchrist. Franklin Classics Trade Press. ISBN 9780344335013.
- "Gylfaginning (Old Norse)". heimskringla.no. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- "Vafþrúðnismál (Old Norse)". heimskringla.com. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
Secondary edit
- Simek, Rudolf (2008). A Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Translated by Hall, Angela. BOYE6. ISBN 9780859915137.