Traustari

Traustari is a term found in Icelandic-language sources that can be rendered as “the trusted one” or “trusted adviser.” In linguistic and literary contexts, traustari is typically described as an agent noun formed from traust, meaning trust. The suffix -ari yields a person characterized by the base quality, making traustari a descriptor for someone known for loyalty and reliability.

Etymology: From the noun traust and the agentive suffix -ari. The word is largely attested in historical and literary texts rather than in everyday speech.

Historical usage: In medieval Icelandic sagas and chronicles, a traustari often referred to a confidant, loyal retainer, or trusted official who served a chieftain or household. The role was informal and defined by personal relationships and reliability rather than by formal office, varying by text and period.

Modern usage: In contemporary Icelandic, the term is rare and mostly found in historical writing or literary translations. More common expressions for a trusted adviser or confidant are used in everyday language, while traustari remains largely a stylistic or archaic term.

See also: traust.