norse

adjective

1. of or relating to ancient Scandinavia, its inhabitants, or their language.
2. Norwegian(def 1).

noun

3. (used with a plural verb) the Norwegians, especially the ancient Norwegians.
4. (used with a plural verb) the Northmen or ancient Scandinavians generally.
5. the Norwegian language, especially in its older forms.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of ancient and medieval Scandinavia or its inhabitants
2. of, relating to, or characteristic of Norway

noun

3. 1. the N group of Germanic languages, spoken in Scandinavia; Scandinavian
   2. any one of these languages, esp in their ancient or medieval formsSee also Proto-Norse, Old Norse
4. the Norse (functioning as plural)
   1. the Norwegians
   2. the Vikings

n.1590s, “a Norwegian,” from obsolete Dutch Noorsch (adj.) “Norwegian,” from noordsch “northern, nordic,” from noord “north” (see north). Also in some cases borrowed from cognate Danish or Norwegian norsk. As a language, from 1680s. Old Norse attested from 1844. An Old English word for “a Norwegian” was Norðman. As an adjective from 1768. In Old French, Norois as a noun meant “a Norse, Norseman,” also “action worth of a man from the North (i.e. usually considered as deceitful)” [Hindley, et. al.]; as an adjective it meant “northern, Norse, Norwegian,” also “proud, fierce, fiery, strong.”