rúntur

Icelandic

Etymology

From Danish rundt (“around”), as the word referred to a route encircling Reykjavík's center.

Noun

rúntur m (genitive singular rúnts, nominative plural rúntar)

1. driving around without an exact destination as a social activity or for personal enjoyment; cruising

   Kemurðu á rúntinn? ― Want to go for a drive?

2. (with definite article) a route encircling a town's center which people enjoy driving or walking during evenings
3. a drive; a ride; the act of taking a vehicle for a ride

   "Tók fyrsta rúntinn á Mars" [1]

4. route, way

   "mörg undanfarin ár hefur hann tekið sama rúntinn um Eyjafjarðarsveit" [2]

   "hún og grúppan hennar gengu alltaf sama rúntinn í miðbænum" [3]

   Synonym: leið

Derived terms

• rúnta (“to drive around for enjoyment”)

Further reading

• “rúntur” in the Dictionary of Modern Icelandic (in Icelandic) and ISLEX (in the Nordic languages)