Valkyrie

[ val-keer-ee, -kahy-ree, vahl-, val-kuh-ree ]

noun

, Scandinavian Mythology.

1. any of the beautiful maidens attendant upon Odin who bring the souls of slain warriors chosen by Odin or Tyr to Valhalla and there wait upon them.

Valkyrie

/ ˈvælkɪərɪ; vælˈkɪərɪ; ˈvælkɪə /

noun

1. Norse myth any of the beautiful maidens who serve Odin and ride over battlefields to claim the dead heroes and take them to Valhalla

Derived Forms

• Valˈkyrian, adjective

Other Words From

• Val·kyri·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Valkyrie¹

< Old Norse valkyrja chooser of the slain (cognate with Old English wælcyrie witch), equivalent to val ( r ) the slain in battle, slaughter (cognate with Old English wæl ) + kyrja chooser (cognate with Old English cyrie ); akin to choose

Word History and Origins

Origin of Valkyrie¹

C18: from Old Norse Valkyrja, from valr slain warriors + köri to choose

Example Sentences

York Valkyrie made history by becoming the first team to retain the Women’s Super League crown as they denied St Helens the treble on their own turf.

From BBC

Toronto will be the WNBA’s 14th franchise, with the expansion Golden State Valkyries set to start play next year.

From Seattle Times

So give it up for the Golden State Valkyries, named for the powerful female warriors from Norse mythology.

From New York Times

Whimsical elements included Valkyries with horses’ heads as helmets and Rhinemaidens in pajamas with Marilyn Monroe platinum wigs.

From Seattle Times

But the rebooted UA released just two movies, “Lions for Lambs” and “Valkyrie,” before Wagner departed as chief executive.

From Los Angeles Times