Valkyrie

[val-keer-ee, -kahy-ree, vahl-, val-kuh-ree]

noun

Scandinavian Mythology.

1. any of the beautiful maidens attendant upon Odin who bring the souls of slain warriors chosen by Odin or Tyr to Valhalla and there wait upon them.

Valkyrie

/ ˈvælkɪərɪ, vælˈkɪərɪ, ˈvælkɪə /

noun

1. Norse myth any of the beautiful maidens who serve Odin and ride over battlefields to claim the dead heroes and take them to Valhalla

Other Word Forms

• Valkyrian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Valkyrie¹

< Old Norse valkyrja chooser of the slain (cognate with Old English wælcyrie witch), equivalent to val ( r ) the slain in battle, slaughter (cognate with Old English wæl ) + kyrja chooser (cognate with Old English cyrie ); akin to choose

Word History and Origins

Origin of Valkyrie¹

C18: from Old Norse Valkyrja, from valr slain warriors + köri to _choose

Example Sentences

They trail the Golden State Valkyries by two games for the eighth and final playoff spot.

From Los Angeles Times

In a career that spanned six decades, the Oscar-nominated actor starred in films including The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Far From the Madding Crowd and Valkyrie.

From BBC

Plum played 41 minutes during an overtime loss to the Golden State Valkyries, during which she was awarded those six free throws.

From Los Angeles Times

With both teams in similar stages of growth and aiming to build lasting foundations, the Sparks and the Golden State Valkyries have shown just how slim the gap is between them.

From Los Angeles Times

The final score suggested a close game, but for much of the night, it looked like it would be a Valkyries rout.

From Los Angeles Times