þunnur

þunnur is an Old Norse word meaning "thin" or "slender." It is an adjective that describes something lacking in thickness or substance, or someone being lean or gaunt. The word appears in various Old Norse texts, including sagas and poetry, often used to describe physical characteristics of people, animals, or objects. For instance, it might be used to describe a thin cloak, a slender horse, or a person who has become emaciated.

The etymology of þunnur can be traced back to Proto-Germanic *þunnuz, which shares cognates with words in other Germanic languages. For example, in English, the related word is "thin." In German, the corresponding word is "dünn." This linguistic connection highlights the shared ancient roots of these languages. The pronunciation of þunnur involves the voiceless dental fricative sound represented by the letter 'þ' (thorn), which is similar to the 'th' in the English word "thin." The vowel 'u' has a sound similar to the 'oo' in "book." The word’s usage in Old Norse literature provides insight into the descriptive language employed by its speakers.