Northman
(ˈnɔːθmən)
[OE. Norðman (see north a.) = OFris. North-, Nord-, OHG. Nort(h)-, Nordman, ON. Norðmaðr (pl. -menn), mod.G., Da., and Sw. Nordman: see also Norman n.1 The history of the word in Engl. is not continuous.]
1. (Chiefly pl.) An inhabitant or native of Norway or of Scandinavia.
| c 893 K. ælfred Oros. i. i. 17 Ohthere sæde..þæt he ealra Norðmonna norþmest bude. c 937 O.E. Chron. (Parker MS.) an. 937, Þær ᵹeflemed wearð Norðmanna breᵹu. c 1000 ælfric Saints' Lives xxix. II. 180 Him onbuᵹon þa francan and þa fyrlenan norðmenn to þam wynsuman iuce wuldres cynincᵹes. 1605 Verstegan Dec. Intell. vi. 165 Their habitation was in Norway, so called for the northern situation there-of, and themselues Northmen,..vpon lyke reason. 1817 Scott Harold iii. vi, O'er Eric, Inguar's son, Dane and Northman piled the stone. 1845 [see Northumbrian A]. 1887 Haweis Lt. of Ages vii. 199 Wherever the North-man landed, he settled. |
2. U.S. = northerner 1.
| 1836 Southern Lit. Messenger II. 434 From my very heart, northman as I am, I admire and affect this good remnant of olden time. 1837 Ibid. III. 337 Between the Virginians and the North-men there was a wide variance. |