Edda

¹

or Ed·a

[ ed-uh ]

noun

1. a female given name.

Edda

²

[ ed-uh ]

noun

1. either of two old Icelandic literary works, one a collection of poems on mythical and religious subjects Elder Edda, or Poetic Edda, erroneously attributed to Saemund Sigfusson (c1055–1133), the other a collection of ancient Scandinavian myths and legends, rules and theories of versification, poems, etc. Younger Edda, or Prose Edda, compiled and written in part by Snorri Sturluson (1179–1241).

Edda

/ ˈɛdə; ɛˈdeɪɪk /

noun

1. Also calledElder EddaPoetic Edda a collection of mythological Old Norse poems made in the 12th century
2. Also calledYounger EddaProse Edda a treatise on versification together with a collection of Scandinavian myths, legends, and poems compiled by Snorri Sturluson (1179–1241), the Icelandic historian and poet

Derived Forms

• Eddaic, adjective

Other Words From

• Eddic Ed·da·ic [e-, dey, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Edda¹

C18: Old Norse

Example Sentences

At one point, a musical interlude depicting Antony’s marriage of convenience to Octavius’ sister is accompanied by archival footage of the wedding of Mussolini’s daughter Edda, complete with fascist salutes.

From Seattle Times

Edda Collins Coleman lives in Orinda, Calif., and is a managing director at Cogent Strategies, a government relations and public affairs firm in D.C.

From Washington Post

Ms. Huppert was in town to see Robert Wilson’s play “Edda”; she told Mr. Trier how much she’d enjoyed the performance of an actress wearing a purple dress onstage.

From New York Times

Edda and Lucila are household names in Miami, famous for their renowned vanilla rum cakes, a centerpiece at any large Latino family celebration.

From New York Times

“You know, we were in survival mode for a while,” said her mother, Edda Mellas, a teacher.

From Seattle Times