Hugr
/ˈhuɣr̩/noun
In Old Norse belief, the mind, thought, intention, desire, or inner disposition of a person.
Did you know?Old Norse tradition treated hugr as more than private thought: a person’s inner disposition could be projected outward through hostile intention, magical influence, or the sending of a hugr.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hugiz
“Mind, thought, disposition, or inward intention”
Gothic
Gothic
hugs
“Mind, thought, or understanding”
Old English
Old English
hyge
“Mind, thought, spirit, or intention”
Old Norse
Old Norse
hugr
“Mind, thought, desire, courage, or inner character”
Medieval Scandinavian
Old Norse
hugga
“To comfort or console; a related verb expressing care directed toward the mind or feelings”
Modern English
English
hugr
“A borrowed term used in scholarship and popular writing about Norse psychology, spirituality, and mythology”