Table of contents

1 Pronounciation 2 Etymology 3 Noun 4 Adjective

Pronounciation

Etymology

It is certain that the word is derived from the base of the Germanic words for north and the Germanic base of the words for man. However, given the frequent movement of Germanic groups especially into and out of Britain in the post-classical world, it is unclear in what tongue it came to be used first. In addition, the generally accepted meaning, a person from Normandy or one of the many French speaking invaders to Britain, was used chiefly by Anglo-Norman and Old French, though it originally referred to any Scandinavian of the time. See Northman.

Noun

1. A person whose ancestors are from Normandy or who resides in Normandy.
2. A member of the mixed Scandinavian and Frankish peoples who in the 11th century were a major military power in Western Europe and who conquered the English in 1066.
3. The language very closely related to French, spoken by these people.
4. A Northman. (Rare)

Adjective

1. Of or pertaining to Normandy or its inhabitants (present or past).
2. Referring to the dialect of French once spoken there. (not very common)
3. Relating to the Romanesque architechture developed by the Normans after the Norman Conquest, characterized by large arches and heavy columns.