Eddic
/ˈɛd.ɪk/noun
Relating to the Edda, the medieval Icelandic collections of mythological and heroic poetry.
Did you know?The ultimate origin of Edda is disputed: scholars have connected it variously with Old Norse words meaning “great-grandmother,” “poetry,” or the Icelandic place-name Oddi.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Iceland
Old Norse
Edda
“Title associated with major collections of Norse mythological and heroic poetry; the word’s original sense is uncertain.”
13th Century
Old Norse
Edda
“Name of the poetic and mythological work traditionally associated with Snorri Sturluson and the later Poetic Edda manuscript tradition.”
17th Century
Latin
Edda
“The Norse title entered European scholarly writing as interest in Icelandic manuscripts grew.”
19th Century
English
Eddic
“An English adjective formed from Edda with the suffix -ic, meaning “relating to the Edda.””
Modern English
English
Eddic
“Pertaining to the Edda or to the style, themes, and poetic tradition of Norse Eddic literature.”