Valkyrie

noun

Val·ky·rie | \ˈval-k(ə-)rē

also val-ˈkir-ē,

val-ˈkī-rē

\

Definition of Valkyrie

: any of the maidens of Odin who choose the heroes to be slain in battle and conduct them to Valhalla

History and Etymology for Valkyrie

borrowed from German & Old Norse; German Walküre, borrowed from Old Norse valkyrja, going back to Germanic *wala-kuzjōn- (whence Old English wælcyrige "war goddess, sorceress"), from *wala- (whence Old Norse valr "the slain," Old English wæl) + -kuzjōn-, nominal derivative from the base of *keusan- "to choose" (whence Old English cēosan) — more at valhalla, choose

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Valkyrie

Dictionary Entries near Valkyrie

Statistics for Valkyrie

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for Valkyrie

The first known use of Valkyrie was in 1770

See more words from the same year

WORD OF THE DAY

perforce

by force of circumstances

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

Which is a synonym of discomfit?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games