rjáfur

Icelandic

Alternative forms

• ræfur

Etymology

From late Old Norse rjáfr, from older ráfr, from Proto-Germanic *rēfaz. Compare the alternative form ræfur (< Old Norse ræfr), which is due to a different leveling of the Germanic -az/-iz paradigm.

Noun

rjáfur n (genitive singular rjáfurs, nominative plural rjáfur)

1. the inner side (underside) of a roof (a traditional sloped roof with rafters)

References

• “rjáfur”, “ráfur”, and “ræfur” in: Ásgeir Blöndal Magnússon — Íslensk orðsifjabók, (1989). Reykjavík, Orðabók Háskólans. (Available on Málið.is under the “Eldra mál” tab.)