I was thumbing through Zoega today and ran across a
term I'd like some input on.
Usually when I post things like this I get nothing
in response, but I'll try again anyway.
The word is 'Gríðr' and Zoega translated it as
'giantess'. What strikes me is that I've never heard of this word before. The
term 'Þursr' meaning 'giant' is well known and the topic of many discussions,
yet nowhere have I read of a separate word for the feminine gender of the same
'species?'.
Does anyone know anything about this term and how
it is used? Any instances in the lore that might shed light on this? Could the
word 'Þurs' exclusively mean the male gender of 'giants' or does it include the
female as well, with 'Gríðr' being a rare term?
-Laz