gråbein
Norwegian Bokmål
Etymology
grå (“grey”) + bein (“leg”). Coined as a form of avoidance speech.[1] Compare Swedish gråben.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈɡroː.ˌbein/, [ˈɡɾoː.ˌbæɪ̯n]
Noun
gråbein m (definite singular gråbeinen, indefinite plural gråbeiner, definite plural gråbeinene)
- (euphemistic) a wolf
- Synonyms: ulv, varg, gråtass, skrubb
Usage notes
Unlike the original stem, bein, which is neuter gender, this word is masculine.
Alternative forms
- gråben
References
- “gråbein” in The Bokmål Dictionary.
- “gråbein” in Det Norske Akademis ordbok (NAOB).
- Østbye, Eivind (2009-02-14) , “gråbein”, in Store Norske Leksikon
Norwegian Nynorsk
Etymology
grå (“grey”) + bein (“leg”). Coined as a form of avoidance speech.[1]
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈɡroː.ˌbein/, [ˈɡɾoː.ˌbæɪ̯n]
Noun
gråbein m (definite singular gråbeinen, indefinite plural gråbeinar, definite plural gråbeinane)
- (euphemistic) a wolf
- Synonyms: ulv, varg, gråtass, skrubb
Usage notes
Unlike the original stem, bein, which is neuter gender, this word is masculine.
References
- “gråbein” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.
- Østbye, Eivind (2009-02-14) , “gråbein”, in Store Norske Leksikon