eteninne

Middle Low German

FWOTD – 31 October 2017

Etymology

From *ēten +‎ -inne (suffix creating feminine nouns). The first element derives from Proto-Germanic *etunaz (“giant”) and is cognate with Old Norse jǫtunn, English eoten (English ettin).

Pronunciation

• (originally) IPA^(key): /ˈɪɛtəˌnɪnːə/

Noun

ēteninne f

1. witch
2. female devil or monster
3. (derogatory) hag
   • Johann Lauremberg, Van Allemodischer Kleder-Dracht 297-300 (17th century):

     Dat meende Aleke, de olde Eteninne,
     Se müste dulle grillen hebben in erem Sinne,
     Vul van oldfrenkischen Kledern was er Schap,
     Nie tho tügen was er de Büdel tho schlap.

     That thought little Adelheid, the old hag,
     She must have stupid ideas in her mind,
     Full of Old Franconian clothes was her closet,
     Her wallet was too weak to get new ones.