Viking definition

Alternative spellings

-forms (-terminal):

- Vikinger, vikinger
- Vikingir, vikingir
- Vikingr, vikingr

-forms (-initial, [ŋ]-terminal):

- Viking, viking

-forms (-initial):

- Wicking, wicking
- Wiking, wiking

Etymology

Cognate with , , and ^{(da), (no), (sv)}, with and ^{(fo), (is)}, and with ; all of which and are from (existing therein since the late-tenth century; itself cognate with and , ; compare and ), from + = “one from or who frequents the sea’s inlets”, possibly from (existing therein since at least the eighth century), if so, then probably from , so named on account of the temporary encampments which were often a prominent feature of the Vikings’ raids.

Noun

One of the Scandinavian seafaring warriors that raided (and then settled) the British Isles and other parts of Europe in the 8^th to the 11^th centuries.

Proper noun

derived from the Swedish noun , used since the 19th century.