kerling

Icelandic

/ˈcʰɛrtliŋk/, /ˈcʰɛtliŋk/

noun
Definitions
  • (old) woman
  • (chiefly) a lower-class woman, as opposed to frú (frú), dama (dama), maddama (maddama)
  • (derogatory) wuss, wimp (referring to a man or boy)
  • (informal) wife
  • a general term of endearment for a female; girl, old girl

Etymology

Derived from Old Norse kerling (kelson).

Origin

Old Norse

kerling

Gloss

kelson

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms