Muspell

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Old Norse Muspell. The ultimate origin is disputed, but one suggestion includes Latin mundus (“world”) + Proto-Germanic *spilþijaną (“to kill, ruin, murder”), thus meaning "destruction of the world." More at Muspilli.

Cognates include Old Saxon mūdspelli, Old High German muspilli. More at spill.

Proper noun

Muspell

1. (Norse mythology and Germanic paganism) The primordial realm of fire which existed to the south of Ginnungagap.
   • 2003, Kim Farnell, Reading the Runes, A Beginner's Guide, Zambezi Publishing, →ISBN, page 21:

     At the beginning of time there was Muspell, which was the realm of Fire.

   • 2005, Diana Paxson, Taking Up the Runes, Weiser Books, →ISBN, page 323:

     Certainly the encounter between the cold of Niflheim and the fires of Muspel suggests the chemical reactions that led to the evolution of the planetary surface and its atmosphere.

Synonyms

• Muspelheim, Muspellheim

Coordinate terms

• (The Nine Realms): Álfheimr, Asgard, Jötunheimr, Midgard, Niðavellir, Niflheimr, Svartálfaheimr, Vanaheimr

See also

• Niflheim
• Midgard
• Asgard
• Heathenry

Anagrams

• smell up