nanna

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the mother of your father or mother
  2. noun (Norse mythology) wife of Balder
  3. noun god of the Moon; counterpart of the Akkadian Sin

Etymology

Possibly derived from Proto-Celtic *nana (“grandmother”); probably from a Proto-Indo-European root imitative of a child babbling, similar to Ancient Greek νάννα (nánna). See also nanny. Compare Welsh nain, Sicilian nanna, Italian nonna, Norman nonne, Galician nana, Spanish nana, Old French nonain, Late Latin nonna.

In classic literature

Synonyms

grandma, grandmother, granny, grannie, gran, nan

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