norseman
UK[ˈnɔːsmən]US[ˈnɔːrsmən]
n
a member of the scandinavian peoples who raided and settled in parts of northwestern europe in the 8th to 11th centuries.
Morpheme Breakdown
nors
man
nors
north
man
person
Etymology
the term "norseman" is a compound formed from the english word "norse," referring to the north germanic peoples of scandinavia, and the common english noun "man." the word "norse" itself derives from the old norse 'norðr', meaning "north," which has proto-germanic origins. "man" comes from old english 'mann', a term for a human being, also of proto-germanic descent. therefore, a norseman is literally a "north-man," a name given by other european peoples to the viking-age scandinavians who came from the north. the term historically encapsulates both their geographic origin and their identity as a distinct group of raiders, traders, and settlers.
Analysis
Structure: nors (north) + man (person)
nors: from old norse 'norðr', meaning "north"; man: from old english 'mann', meaning "person, human being".
Examples
the norseman sailed his longship across the north sea to the british isles.
archaeological evidence suggests the norseman established settlements in greenland and iceland.
the local chronicles recorded the fear inspired by the arrival of a norseman raiding party.