Varangian

Meanings

1. A member of the ethnically Scandinavian people around the borders of Constantinople in the ninth and tenth centuries.
2. A member of the imperial body guard at Constantinople from 955.

1. Of or pertaining to the Varangians.
2. Of or pertaining to the Varanger Peninsula in Norway.
3. Pertaining to a period of intense glaciation during the late Proterozoic eon.

Etymology

Ultimately from Byzantine Greek Βάραγγος (Bárangos), from Medieval Latin Varingus, from Old Norse væringi, from várr (“pledge”) or værr (“pledge”), which is cognate with Old English wǣr (“fidelity, loyalty”), + Old Norse gangi (“companion”). Cognate with Old English wærgenga.