gråbein

Norwegian Bokmål

Etymology

grå (“grey”) +‎ bein (“leg”). Coined as a form of avoidance speech.[1] Compare Swedish gråben.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈɡroː.ˌbein/, [ˈɡɾoː.ˌbæɪ̯n]

Noun

gråbein m (definite singular gråbeinen, indefinite plural gråbeiner, definite plural gråbeinene)

(euphemistic) a wolf
Synonyms: ulv, varg, gråtass, skrubb

Usage notes

Unlike the original stem, bein, which is neuter gender, this word is masculine.

Alternative forms

gråben

References

“gråbein” in The Bokmål Dictionary.
“gråbein” in Det Norske Akademis ordbok (NAOB).

Østbye, Eivind (2009 February 14) “gråbein”, in Store Norske Leksikon

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology

grå (“grey”) +‎ bein (“leg”). Coined as a form of avoidance speech (Noa-name).[1]

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈɡrɔː.ˌbɛɪːn/, [ˈɡɾo̞ː.ˌbɛ̞ɪ̯ˑn], [ˈɡɾo̞ː.ˌbæɪ̯ˑn]

Noun

gråbein m (definite singular gråbeinen, indefinite plural gråbeinar, definite plural gråbeinane)

(euphemistic) a wolf
Synonyms: ulv, varg, gråtass, skrubb, skrogg

Usage notes

Unlike the original stem, bein, which is neuter gender, this word is masculine.

References

Østbye, Eivind (2009 February 14) “gråbein”, in Store Norske Leksikon

“gråbein” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.

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