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

Elements of past games are included here, like runes that can boost your abilities, damage types that inflict various status ailments, and an array of enemy factions and types. —Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2024

The memorandum claims that evidence at the crime scene supports Odinist practices, including symbols in the form of runes. —Virginia Black, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Oct. 2024

One of the last scenes of season 2 finds these two mystics sitting by a campfire and singing songs as Gandalf’s signature rune appears in the stars above. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024

The inscription on the ring contains almost 250 runes, or letters in the alphabet used by the Vikings and other Germanic peoples. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 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