Forms: α. 8–9 valkyria (pl. -iur, 9 -iæ). β. 8–9 valkerie (9 -kery), 9– valkyrie. [a. ON. valkyrja (pl. -kyrjur), f. val-r those slain in battle + -kyrja chooser, f. kur- (:—kuz-), ablaut stem of kjósa to choose. Cf. OE. wælcyrie (-ʓe, -iʓe), -kyrie WALKYRIE.] In Scandinavian mythology, one or other of the twelve war-maidens supposed to hover over battlefields and to conduct the fallen warriors to Valhalla.
α. 1768. Gray, Fatal Sisters, Note. The Valkyriur were female Divinities, Servants of Odin (or Woden) in the Gothic mythology.
1778. Mrs. Grant of Laggan, Lett. Mount. (1807), II. ix. 55. The prophetic Valkyria may once more say [etc.].
1806. W. Herbert, Sel. Icel. Poetry, I. 119. Two of the Valkyriæ or virgins of slaughter.
a. 1835. Mrs. Hemans, Sword of the Tomb, Poems (1875), 339. The far-renown’d Whom the bright Valkyriur’s warning voice Had call’d to the banquet where gods rejoice.
β. 1770. Percy, trans. Mallet’s Northern Antiq., I. 102. There are other virgins in Valhall;… they are called Valkeries. Ibid., II. 99. These Goddesses are called Valkyries.
1784. Jerningham, Rise Scand. Poetry, Advt. p. iii. The Valkeries are a female troop whom Odin sends to the field of battle upon invisible steeds.
1801. M. G. Lewis, Tales of Wonder, Sword of Angantyr, xxxiii. ’Tis the Valkyries who sing, While they spin thy vital thread.
a. 1843. Southey, Death of Odin. No virgin goddess him shall call;… No Valkery for him prepare The smiling mead.
1881. Du Chaillu, Land of Midnight Sun, II. 420–1. Beautiful maidens! are you the Scandinavian valkyries who travel through the air, or their spirits flying before me?
