saga

views updated May 18 2018

saga a long story of heroic achievement, especially a medieval prose narrative in Old Norse or Old Icelandic, embodying the traditional histories of the Norse families who first settled Iceland or of the kings of Norway. The word is recorded in English from the early 18th century, and comes from Old Norse, literally ‘narrative’.

From the mid 19th century, the use of the term has widened to cover stories regarded as resembling traditional sagas, in particular (as with Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga) dealing with the history of a family through several generations. Saga may also be used loosely for a long, involved story, account, or series of incidents.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

saga

views updated Jun 11 2018

saga In old Norse literature (especially Icelandic), prose narrative that relates the lives of historical figures. The sagas were written between the 7th and 14th centuries. Notable examples include the Gísla saga, the Njáls saga, and the Heimskringla by Snorri Sturluson (1179–1241).

World Encyclopedia

saga

views updated May 18 2018

sa·ga / ˈsägə/ • n. a long story of heroic achievement, esp. a medieval prose narrative in Old Norse or Old Icelandic. ∎ a long, involved story, account, or series of incidents: the saga of her engagement.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

saga

views updated May 21 2018

saga medieval Norse narrative in prose. XVIII. — ON. (Icel.) saga SAW2.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

SAGA

views updated May 14 2018

SAGA Society of American Graphic Artists

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH