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)

1. (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).

1. 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)

1. (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

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

• “gråbein” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.