jomfru

Norwegian

noun-c
Definitions
  • a virgin (girl or woman who has never had sexual intercourse)
  • a historical form of address for an unmarried daughter of the bourgeoisie, used from the early modern period until the 19th century, contrasted with the higher style of frøken
  • (gammel jomfru) an old maid (derogatory) or spinster (older woman who has never married)
  • a Virgo (someone born under that star sign)

Etymology

Derived from Middle Low German junkvruwe derived from Old Norse jungfrú.

Origin

Old Norse

jungfrú

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms