Atter

Common card · No. 309520

Atter (Old English: āttor; cf. Old Norse: eitr) 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 (Danish: edder; Faroese: eitur; Icelandic: eitur; Norwegian: eiter; Swedish: etter) are terms for venom and poison, while its Dutch and German cognates (Dutch: etter; German: Eiter) refer to pus. Today, atter is commonly associated with the Norse mythology, where it plays an important role in various contexts – see subsequent section: § In Norse mythology. In Eddic poetry, both the sea serpent Jörmungandr, and the dwarf...

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