ginn-

Old Norse

Etymology

From Proto-Norse ᚷᛁᚾᛟ- (gino-), ᚷᛁᚾᛡ- (ginᴀ-), from Proto-Germanic *ginna-. Cognate with Old English ginne (“wide, vast”).

Prefix

ginn-

1. (rare, Germanic paganism) great, holy, powerful

   ‎ginn- ‎heilagr (“holy”) → ‎ginnheilagr (“high holy, sacrosanct”)

Usage notes

• Only used in a few words of pagan religious significance. The exact sense is unclear.

Derived terms

• ginnheilagr
• ginnregin
• Ginnungagap