wayland
Definition
Proper noun In European mythology, a supernatural smith and king of the elves. He is a legendary master craftsman, often depicted as a magical or divine blacksmith. This figure is identified with the Norse Volund (or Völundr), a central character in Germanic and Norse legends.
Usage
"Wayland" is used as a proper name to refer specifically to this mythological figure. It is typically found in contexts discussing medieval literature, mythology, folklore, and comparative studies of Germanic legends. * The story of Wayland the Smith is a famous tale from Germanic mythology. * Scholars compare the Anglo-Saxon Wayland to the Norse Völundr from the Poetic Edda.
Advanced Usage
- Wayland's Smithy: This is the name of a Neolithic long barrow and chamber tomb in Oxfordshire, England. The site is associated with the legend of Wayland, as folklore held that it was his forge and that a horse left there overnight would be magically shod.
- The character appears in various medieval texts, including the Old English poems and , and the .
Variants and Related Words
- Völundr (Proper noun): The Old Norse name for the same mythological smith.
- Weland (Proper noun): An alternate Middle English spelling.
- Wayland the Smith (Noun phrase): The common epithet used to refer to this figure.
Synonyms
- Legendary smith
- Master craftsman (in a mythological context)
Related Concepts
- Elf: Wayland is described as a king of the elves.
- Forging/Metalwork: His primary attribute is supernatural skill in smithing.
- Vengeance: A common theme in his stories, particularly in the Norse version where he is wronged and seeks revenge.
Noun
-
(European mythology) a supernatural smith and king of the elves; identified with Norse Volund
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