forðum

Icelandic

Etymology

From Old Norse forðum. Cognate with Faroese forðum.

Adverb

forðum

1. formerly, long ago

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Old Norse

Etymology

Etymology obscure, but ultimately from Proto-Germanic *furi- (“formerly”), from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“forth, over, across, through”). Related to Old Norse forn (“old, ancient”), fjǫrð (“past year”).

Adverb

forðum (not comparable)

1. aforetime, formerly, once, erst
   • Hávamál, 47:

     Ungr var ek forðum, / fór ek einn saman, / þá varð ek villr vega; / auðigr þóttumk, / er ek annan fann, / maðr er manns gaman.

     Young was I once, / and wandered alone, / And nought of the road I knew; / Rich did I feel / when a comrade I found, / for man is man's delight.

2. of yore, in days of old
   • Vǫluspá, 2:

     Ek man jǫtna ár um borna, / Þá er forðum mik fœdda hǫfðu...

     I recall giants born long ago / Who have fostered me of old...

Descendants

• Faroese: forðum

• Icelandic: forðum