MEANING
A character of an early Germanic alphabet, sometimes treated as a magical sign in later traditions and fiction.
Use it for
ancient writing; deciphered messages; inscribed magicGround mysterious marks in a writing tradition rather than random decoration.
Words that belong together
- carve a rune
- runic inscription
- protective rune
On the page
One rune on the blade had been polished almost smooth.
The scholar read the runes as a record of debts, not a curse.
Each time a rune faded, the frozen door grew warmer.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- rune
Usage notes
Primary category: fantasy. Historical writing is not inherently magical; distinguish an actual script from a fictional spell-symbol system. Noun: rune; plural runes.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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