Runology
/ruːˈnɒlədʒi/noun
The scholarly study of runic writing, inscriptions, languages, and cultures.
Did you know?The ancient Germanic word behind “rune” meant “secret” or “mystery,” and some runic inscriptions appear to have served commemorative, magical, or protective purposes.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic, before 500 CE
Proto-Germanic
*rūnō
“Secret, mystery, confidential counsel”
2nd–8th Century
Germanic
rūnō / rūna
“A rune or secret sign; the term came to denote the characters used in Germanic inscriptions”
Old Norse, 9th–13th Century
Old Norse
rún
“Secret, mystery, magical or written sign”
Old English, 7th–11th Century
Old English
rūn
“Secret, mystery, counsel, or rune”
19th Century
Modern European scholarly usage
runology
“The academic study of runes and runic inscriptions”
Modern English
English
runology
“The scholarly discipline concerned with runic writing, languages, and history”