Valkyrie
(ˈvælkɪrɪ, vælˈkɪrɪ)
Forms: α. 8–9 valkyria (pl. -iur, 9 -iæ). β. 8–9 valkerie (9 -kery), 9– valkyrie.
[a. ON. valkyrja (pl. -kyrjur), f. val-r those slain in battle + -kyrja chooser, f. kur- (:—kuz-), ablaut stem of kjósa to choose. Cf. OE. wælcyrie (-ᵹe, -iᵹe), -kyrie Walkyrie.]
In Scandinavian mythology, one or other of the twelve war-maidens supposed to hover over battlefields and to conduct the fallen warriors to Valhalla.
| α 1768 Gray Fatal Sisters Note, The Valkyriur were female Divinities, Servants of Odin (or Woden) in the Gothic mythology. 1778 Mrs. Grant of Laggan Lett. Mount. (1807) II. ix. 55 The prophetic Valkyria may once more say [etc.]. 1806 W. Herbert Sel. Icel. Poetry i. 119 Two of the Valkyriæ or virgins of slaughter. a 1835 Mrs. Hemans Sword of the Tomb Poems (1875) 339 The far-renown'd Whom the bright Valkyriur's warning voice Had call'd to the banquet where gods rejoice. |
| β 1770 Percy tr. Mallet's Northern Antiq. I. 102 There are other virgins in Valhall;..they are called Valkeries. Ibid. II. 99 These Goddesses are called Valkyries. 1784 Jerningham Rise Scand. Poetry Advt. p. iii, The Valkeries are a female troop whom Odin sends to the field of battle upon invisible steeds. 1801 M. G. Lewis Tales of Wonder, Sword of Angantyr xxxiii, 'Tis the Valkyries who sing, While they spin thy vital thread. a 1843 Southey Death of Odin, No virgin goddess him shall call;..No Valkery for him prepare The smiling mead. 1881 P. B. Du Chaillu Land of Midnight Sun II. 420 Are you Scandinavian valkyries who travel through the air? |