rune

 
Pronunciation: /ruːn/

noun

  • 1a letter of an ancient Germanic alphabet, related to the Roman alphabet: long ago, a rune had been carved in the centre of the stone the pommel and guard are embellished with runes
  • a symbol with mysterious or magic significance.
  • (runes) small stones, pieces of bone, etc., bearing symbols with mysterious or magic significance, and used in divination: the casting of the runes
  • a spell or incantation.
  • 2a section of the Kalevala or of an ancient Scandinavian poem.

Phrases

read the runes

British try to forecast the outcome of a situation by analysing all the significant factors involved: the Chancellor read the runes and introduced additional tax measures

Derivatives

runic

adjective

Origin:

Old English rūn 'a secret, mystery'; not recorded between Middle English and the late 17th century, when it was reintroduced under the influence of Old Norse rúnir, rúnar 'magic signs, hidden lore'