Brunhild

B3R1U1N1H4I1L1D2
/ˈbrʊn.hɪld//-hɪlt/

proper noun

A shieldmaiden and valkyrie in Germanic mythology, a main character in the Nibelungenlied, Vǫlsunga saga, and some poems of the Poetic Edda.

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Scrabble 14

Meanings

proper noun

alternative Brunhilda · alternative Brunhilde · alternative Brünhilde · alternative Brunnhilde · alternative Brünnhilde · alternative Brünnehilde · alternative Brunhildr · alternative Brynhild · alternative Brynhildr

  1. Germanichuman sciencesA shieldmaiden and valkyrie in Germanic mythology, a main character in the Nibelungenlied, Vǫlsunga saga, and some poems of the Poetic Edda.

    Brunhild is a complex figure, indeed. In Hebbel's trilogy, Brunhild is one of the figures who spans both levels, those of history and myth.

    1999, Mary A. Cicora, Wagner's Ring and German Drama: Comparative Studies in Mythology and History in Drama, page 79
    2 more examples

    In manuscripts A and B,^([of the Nibelungenlied]) the smiles of Gunther, Siegfried, and Brunhild are recognized as expressions of power and are greeted with the appropriate responses of retaliation, subjugation, or subjugation followed by retaliation.

    2003, Kathryn Starkey, “Brunhild's Smile”, in C. Stephen Jaeger, Ingrid Kasten, editors, Codierungen von Emotionen im Mittelalter / Emotions and Sensibilities in the Middle Ages, page 160

    Brunhild resembles Minerva in her martial tastes, physical appearance, and wisdom; but her anger and resentment when Sigurd forgets her for Gudrun is like the wrath of Œnone, whom Paris deserts to woo Helen.

    2010, H. A. Guerber, Hammer of Thor: Norse Mythology and Legends, Special edition, page 248

    Synonyms: Sigrdrífa

  2. A female given name from German.
    1. historicalQueen Brunhilda of Austrasia, wife of Sigebert I, who later ruled Austrasia and Burgundy as regent.

      Unlike some contemporary queens who converted their husbands to orthodox belief, Brunhild was an Arian Christian who was converted to orthodoxy when she married Sigebert.

      2013, Theresa Earenfight, Queenship in Medieval Europe, page 58
      2 more examples

      One of the rare women who came to great power in the early medieval world was Brunhild, daughter of the Visigothic king Athanagild and reputedly a girl of mesmerising beauty.

      2014, Wim Blockmans, Peter Hoppenbrouwers, Introduction to Medieval Europe 300–1500, page 104

      In the Histories, Brunhild and Fredegund appear as political adversaries and moral opposites. Gregory encouraged his audience to compare the two queens by emphasising their differences. He said nothing bad of Brunhild, yet he accused Fredegund of a great many crimes, including murder, sacrilege, witchcraft and treason.

      2015, E. T Dailey, Queens, Consorts, Concubines, page 119
  3. astronomy123 Brunhild, a main belt asteroid, named after the mythological figure.

Synonyms & antonyms

proper nounA shieldmaiden and valkyrie in Germanic mythology, a main character in the Nibelungenlied, Vǫlsunga saga, and some poems of the Poetic Edda.

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Origin

  1. Proto-Germanic*Brunjōhildiz
  2. Proto-West Germanic*Brunnjuhildi
  3. Old High German*Brunnīhilta
  4. Middle High GermanBriunhilde
  5. GermanBrunhilde
  6. EnglishBrunhild

From German Brunhilde, from Middle High German Briunhilde, from Old High German *Brunnīhilta, from Proto-West Germanic *Brunnjuhildi, from Proto-Germanic *Brunjōhildiz (from *brunjǭ (“breastplate”) + *hildiz (“battle, fight”)).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 布倫希爾德 /布伦希尔德
  • 布倫希爾德 /布伦希尔德 (bù-lún-xī-ěr-dé)valkyrie
French Brunehaut, Brunehilde
  • Brunehautfemale given name
  • Brunehildefemale given name
Cite this entry
APA

Brunhild. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brunhild

MLA

“Brunhild.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brunhild. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Brunhild,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brunhild.

Source: Brunhild on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.