rune

noun

ˈrün 

1

: any of the characters of any of several alphabets used by the Germanic peoples from about the 3rd to the 13th centuries

2

: mystery, magic

3

[Finnish runo, of Germanic origin; akin to Old Norse rūn]

a

: a Finnish or Old Norse poem

b

: poem, song

runic

ˈrü-nik 

adjective

Illustration of rune

• Anglo-Saxon runic alphabet

Synonyms

• lyric
• poem
• song
• verse

Examples of rune in a Sentence

wrote many mournful runes after her lover's untimely death

Recent Examples on the Web

All across Central Europe, a fascination with runes and folk magic aligns with both right-wing xenophobia and left-wing paganism. —Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2025

Because the weapon is in the lab, Sayer’s team hasn’t yet examined all of its mysterious runes. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

It is expected, for instance, that players will have to ask their dungeon master whether their characters recognize a glowing rune or can quote the ancient scriptures. —Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2024

Well, except for a corpse that washed up with a disturbing message delivered in a disturbing fashion, runes carved on his chest. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Old Norse & Old English rūn mystery, runic character, writing; akin to Old High German rūna secret discussion, Old Irish rún mystery

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rune

noun

ˈrün 

: any of the characters of an alphabet used by the Germanic peoples from about the 3rd to the 13th centuries

runic

ˈrü-nik 

adjective