Atter
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, were it appears various times. 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] |
|---|---|
|
|
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.