Varangian

[ vuh-ran-jee-uhn ]

noun

1. any of the Northmen who, under Rurik, established a dynasty in Russia in the 9th century.
2. a member of the bodyguard Varangian guard of the Byzantine emperors, especially in the 11th and 12th centuries, made up of Northmen, Anglo-Saxons, and other northern Europeans.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Varangians.

Varangian

/ vəˈrændʒɪən /

noun

1. one of the Scandinavian peoples who invaded and settled parts of Russia and Ukraine from the 8th to the 11th centuries, and who formed the bodyguard of the Byzantine emperor ( Varangian Guard ) in the late 10th and 11th centuries

adjective

1. of or relating to the Varangians

Word History and Origins

Origin of Varangian¹

C18: from Medieval Latin Varangus, from Medieval Greek Barangos, from Old Norse Væringi, probably from vār pledge

Example Sentences

“Assassins, the Varangian Guard, the Crusader Knights, they’re the major killing lines. Villagers are too cheap or too poor, to hire them.”

From Literature

“He ent just a Varangian,” Kin said.

From Literature

Yedsha continued: “The tsar heard of a Varangian here. The one you threw your horseshoe at. Sigurd Dragedreper is a famous dragon slayer in the North. A seer told him of a very dangerous, very powerful dragon in Kievan Rus’.

From Literature

They stood in silence for a breath, and then Anya blurted, “So you are a Varangian, huh?”

From Literature

The Varangian landed on his feet.

From Literature