hird en · NOUN
Etymology
Borrowed from Norwegian hird, from Old Norse hirð, a borrowing from Old English hīred, hēored (“family, household”), from Proto-West Germanic *hīwarād (“relationship; family”), equivalent to hewe + rede. Cognate with German Heirat (“wedding”).
Meanings
- (historical) In Norwegian history, an informal retinue of personal armed companions, hirdmen or housecarls.
- (broadly) The formal royal court household.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| hirds | Number=Plur | lexicographic |