gråbein

Norwegian Bokmål

Etymology

grå (grey) + bein (leg). Coined as a form of avoidance speech.[1] Compare Swedish gråben.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɡroː.ˌbein/, [ˈɡɾoː.ˌbæɪ̯n]

Noun

gråbein m (definite singular gråbeinen, indefinite plural gråbeiner, definite plural gråbeinene)

  1. (euphemistic) a wolf
    Synonyms: ulv, varg, gråtass, skrubb

Usage notes

Unlike the original stem, bein, which is neuter gender, this word is masculine.

Alternative forms

References

  1. Østbye, Eivind (2009-02-14), “gråbein”, in Store Norske Leksikon

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology

grå (grey) + bein (leg). Coined as a form of avoidance speech (Noa-name).[1]

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɡrɔː.ˌbɛɪːn/, [ˈɡɾo̞ː.ˌbɛ̞ɪ̯ˑn], [ˈɡɾo̞ː.ˌbæɪ̯ˑn]

Noun

gråbein m (definite singular gråbeinen, indefinite plural gråbeinar, definite plural gråbeinane)

  1. (euphemistic) a wolf
    Synonyms: ulv, varg, gråtass, skrubb, skrogg

Usage notes

Unlike the original stem, bein, which is neuter gender, this word is masculine.

References

  1. Østbye, Eivind (2009-02-14), “gråbein”, in Store Norske Leksikon
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