atter
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thumb|Atter dripping from a Komodo dragon Atter (; ) is an archaic, and poetic, term for poisonous bodily fluid, especially venom of a venomous animal, such as a snake, dragon or other reptile, but also other vile corrupt or morbid substance from the body, such as pus from a sore or wound, as well as bitter substance, such as bile. Figuratively, it can also be moral corruption or corruptness; noxious or corrupt influence, poison to the soul, evil, anger, envy, hatred; as well as destruction and death.
~5 min read
Article
10 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Atter breathing dragons
- In Norse mythology{{anchor|eitr}}
- See also
- Footnotes
- Citations
- Bibliography
- Primary
- Secondary
- External links
thumb|Atter dripping from a Komodo dragon Atter (; ) is an archaic, and poetic, term for poisonous bodily fluid, especially venom of a venomous animal, such as a snake, dragon or other reptile, but also other vile corrupt or morbid substance from the body, such as pus from a sore or wound, as well as bitter substance, such as bile. Figuratively, it can also be moral corruption or corruptness; noxious or corrupt influence, poison to the soul, evil, anger, envy, hatred; as well as destruction and death.
Cognates in other Germanic languages are less archaic. Its Nordic cognates (; ; ; ; ) are terms for venom and poison, while its Dutch and German cognates (; ) refer to pus.