/nawrs/ , adj.
1. of or pertaining to ancient Scandinavia, its inhabitants, or their language.
2. Norwegian (def. 1).
n.
3. ( used with a pl. v. ) the Norwegians, esp. the ancient Norwegians.
4. ( used with a pl. v. ) the Northmen or ancient Scandinavians generally.
5. the Norwegian language, esp. in its older forms. Cf. Old Norse .
[ 1590-1600; perh. noorsch, obs. var. of noordsch (now noords ), equiv. to noord NORTH + -sch -ISH 1 . Compare Norw, Sw, Dan Norsk Norwegian, Norse ]