gormur

Etymology

Attested since the 17th century. From an unattested Old Norse *gormr, whence also Norwegian Nynorsk gorm, gurm (“mud, sludge”) and dialectal or obsolete Swedish gorm (“filth; fish guts; fruit solids left over after pressing the juice out”), from a Proto-Germanic *gurmaz. Related to ger and gor. Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰer- (“hot”). The meaning “coil, spring” developed from the resemblance of metal coils to fish or animal intestines.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kɔrmʏr/
• Rhymes: -ɔrmʏr
• Homophone: Gormur

Noun

gormur m (genitive singular gorms, nominative plural gormar)

1. mud, sludge
2. liquid animal faeces
3. the guts or intestines of a fish
4. a bottomless morass
5. a coil spring (mechanical device)
6. coil, spiral, helix, a coil-shaped object
7. a coil of silver or gold wire for use in embroidery

References

• “gormur” in: Ásgeir Blöndal Magnússon — Íslensk orðsifjabók, 1st edition, 2nd printing (1989). Reykjavík, Orðabók Háskólans.
• gorm in Svenska Akademiens ordbok online.