valraven

valraven

English

Etymology

Partial calque of Danish valravn

Noun

valraven (plural valravens)

1. Alternative form of valravn
   • 1914, Johannes Christoffer Hagemann Reinhardt Steenstrup, The Medieval Popular Ballad, page 194:

     […] this means effects the release of the Valraven, which is transformed into a knight. […] the Valraven drinks the child's blood […]

   • 2006, Elizabeth Bear, The Chains That You Refuse, Night Shade (→ISBN)

     Only a valraven's rider may know his name. “I am not worthy, Bright one.” He just snorted and let himself slump down in the bloody snow. Will you wait with me? It was not so much words as a desire, a feeling in my heart, and I nodded .

   • 2016, George Hagen, Gabriel Finley and the Raven's Riddle, Yearling (→ISBN), page 108:

     "If you don't tell a riddle," said Hookeye, "you might as well admit you're a valraven. She'll attack first and rip you to pieces!" He glanced at the others.

   • 2017, George Hagen, Gabriel Finley and the Lord of Air and Darkness, Schwartz & Wade (→ISBN), page 186:

     "Because my brother was a valraven?" Aunt Jaz looked startled for the first time. " Your mother told you this?" "No," admitted Pamela. "I guessed that part. If my father is a valraven, then he might have had a son who was at least part valraven.

   • 2020, Clara Coulson, A Knight of Cold Graves (The Revenant Reign #1), Knite and Day Publishing

     In the minutes that she'd been out of Saul's sight, she'd somehow acquired a valraven—a reanimated raven corpse. The dead bird stood perched on her shoulder, its one beady black eye focused on the idiot brothers. The empty socket  ...