--- In norse_course@yahoogroups.com, "naddr_risi" <emironen@...> wrote:

>
> (1) "ærið" is a modern form for "ærit" = ær-it, with the suffixed
> article. In normalized editions of the Saga it is spelled exactly in
> this way, ærit.

I don't think there can be any doubt that we're dealing with the
neuter form of the adjective 'ærinn' here (Normalised Old Norse
spelling 'oerinn', neuter 'oerit').

>
> (2) "ær" IS in the book and means "a ewe", although it is feminine

there.


And always feminine as far as I know. The suffixed definite article
only takes the form -it / -ið in the neuter singular nominative and
accusative. Magnús Magnússon and Hermann Pálsson translate: "I'm
certainly not going to walk at the heels of your slaves", with no
mention of a "ewe".

> (3) This word can also be found not far from the beginning of this
> Saga's Chapter 1, and stands there for "a maid, girl".

Again, that's the neuter form of the adjective 'oerinn', there used
adverbially: plenty, sufficiently, considerably, very, enough, more
than enough--something along those lines.

Modern spelling: Ærið fögur er mær sjá
Norse Course spelling: Oerit fögr er mær sjá
This girl is certainly very beautiful.

ærið "very"
fögur "beautiful"
er "is"
mær "girl"
sjá "this"

Something I find helpful if I'm not sure about a word or expression is
to look for other examples of it. There are a few in Njáls saga, e.g.
from ch. 97

"Það er ærið eitt til," segir Flosi, "ef þú vilt eigi giftast Höskuldi
að þá mun eg engan kost á gera."

MM & HP: "'If you don't want to marry the man, that in itself is
sufficient reason for me to refuse the offer,' said Flosi"