Woden
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Definition
- Proper noun:
- Chief god in Anglo-Saxon mythology: Woden is the name for the supreme deity in the pre-Christian belief system of the Anglo-Saxons. He is the direct counterpart to the Norse god Odin and the broader Germanic god Wotan.
Usage Notes
- Historical/Archaic Term: "Woden" is primarily used in historical, academic, or literary contexts when discussing Anglo-Saxon paganism, mythology, or the etymology of words derived from his name (e.g., Wednesday).
- Capitalization: As a proper noun referring to a specific deity, it is always capitalized.
Examples of Usage
- Proper noun:
- The Anglo-Saxons worshipped Woden as the god of wisdom, war, and poetry.
- The name "Wednesday" originates from "Woden's day".
- Scholars compare the attributes of Woden to those of the Norse Odin.
Advanced Usage
- In Etymology: The name appears in the historical development of the English language.
- The word "wood" in "wooden" has no relation to the god Woden; this is a common false etymology.
Variants and Related Words
- Odin (Proper noun): The name for the equivalent supreme god in Norse mythology.
- Wotan (Proper noun): The name for the equivalent supreme god in broader Germanic mythology.
- Wuotan (Proper noun): An older Germanic form of the name.
Synonyms
- Allfather: A poetic title used for Odin/Woden, emphasizing his role as the father of the gods.
- God of war: A descriptive synonym highlighting one of his primary domains (though this is not a name).
Related Phrases and Cultural References
- Woden's Day: The Old English name for Wednesday, meaning "day of Woden".
- In the Anglo-Saxon calendar, Woden's Day was a significant time.
- Descendant of Woden: A claim used by some Anglo-Saxon royal lineages to assert divine ancestry and legitimize their rule.
- The kings of Essex claimed to be descendants of Woden.
Noun
- chief god; counterpart of Norse Odin and Teutonic Wotan