Ginnungagap

Old Norse

Etymology

Compound of ginnunga +‎ gap (“gap, empty space”). The first element is of uncertain origin and meaning and has been explained in a number of ways. (1) It is related to Proto-Germanic *ginnaną, from which *biginnaną (“to begin”) descended, thus meaning "primeval". (2) The prefix ginn- (for instance in ginnheilagr (“most holy”), used of the supreme gods), therefore giving the meaning "mighty, vast". (3) Old Norse gína (“to gape; to be astonished”) + -ung (“forms verbal nouns from verbs; -ation; -ing”), i.e. "gap of the gapings" or similar. (4) A genitive plural of ginnungr (“hawk”), which would give an air-kenning "hawk-gap" referring to the midspace between earth and heaven. This sense is attested by Snorre, who gives ginnungagap as a synonym for "air", and supported by the sky-kenning ginnunga vé "mansions of hawks" as found in Haustlǫng.

Proper noun

Ginnungagap n (genitive Ginnungagaps)

  1. (Norse mythology) Ginnungagap, primordial chaos
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