skald: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowLiterary, historical, academic
Quick answer
What does “skald” mean?
A Scandinavian poet, especially from the medieval period, who composed and recited poems honoring kings and heroes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Scandinavian poet, especially from the medieval period, who composed and recited poems honoring kings and heroes.
In historical contexts, a skald served as a chronicler and entertainer in royal courts, known for using complex meters and kennings in Norse oral poetry.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both variants use the word in the same historical context.
Connotations
Carries connotations of ancient Norse culture, heroism, and oral poetry.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, primarily found in academic or literary texts.
Grammar
How to Use “skald” in a Sentence
skald of [kingdom]skald who [verb]as a skaldVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Used in history, literature, and Scandinavian studies to refer to medieval Norse poets.
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation; mostly in specialized discussions.
Technical
Technical in literary and historical analyses, often in the context of skaldic poetry.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “skald”
- Mispronouncing as /skæld/ or /skɒld/
- Misspelling as 'scald' which means to burn with hot liquid.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It comes from Old Norse 'skald', meaning poet.
Rarely; it is primarily used in historical or literary contexts.
In British English, it's pronounced /skɔːld/, and in American English, /skɑːld/.
No, it specifically refers to Scandinavian, especially Norse, poets from the medieval period.
A Scandinavian poet, especially from the medieval period, who composed and recited poems honoring kings and heroes.
Skald is usually literary, historical, academic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'skald' as a 'scald' with a 'k' – a poet who might sing tales of cold Norse lands.
Conceptual Metaphor
The skald as the voice of history, weaving words like a craftsman.
Practice
Quiz
What is a skald?