VALKYRIE

[Val.ky.rie] n [G & ON; G Walkure, fr. ON valkyrja, lit., chooser of the slain; akin to OE waelcyrige witch, ON valr the slain, OHG kiosan to choose--more at choose]: any of the maidens of Odin who choose the heroes to be slain in battle and conduct them to Valhalla