On Thursday 16 May 2002 16:28, Lazarus wrote:

> 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

I haven't read it, I wasn't even looking for it. I'm too tired to think about
it, but this looks VERY interesting:
http://pages.prodigy.net/gary_s/giants.htm