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Nor·dic (nôrdĭk)
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adj.
1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of Scandinavia or its peoples, languages, or cultures.
2. Of or relating to a human physical type exemplified by the tall, narrow-headed, light-skinned, blond-haired peoples of Scandinavia. Not in scientific use.
3. Sports
a. Of or relating to cross-country skiing: Nordic skis.
b. Of or relating to a competitive event featuring cross-country racing, ski jumping, and biathlon.
n.
1. A native or inhabitant of Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, or Finland.
2. A person of the Nordic physical type. Not in scientific use.

[French nordique, from nord, north, from Old French nort, from Old English north; see ner-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.