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futhark

noun
fu·​thark | \ ˈfü-ËŒthärk How to pronounce futhark (audio) \
variants: or less commonly futhorc or futhork \ ˈfü-​ËŒthȯrk How to pronounce futhork (audio) \

Definition of futhark

: the runic alphabet — see rune illustration

Did You Know?

The word futhark describes an alphabet originally of 24 and later of some 16 angular characters. It is suspected to be derived from both Latin and Greek and was used for inscriptions and magic signs by the Germanic peoples, and especially by the Scandinavians and Anglo-Saxons, from about the third to the 13th centuries. The spelling "futhark" is from the first six symbols of the runic alphabet: f, u, th, a, r, k. The alphabet did, however, encounter revision of letters over time resulting in the variants "futhorc" and "futhork."

First Known Use of futhark

1851, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for futhark

from the first six letters, f, u, þ (th), o (or a), r, c (=k)

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More from Merriam-Webster on futhark

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with futhark

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about futhark

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