orlay

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Old English orlæġ (fate), from Proto-Germanic *uzlagą (destiny; fate, literally that which is laid out; out-lay; plan; design), from *uz- (out) + *lagą (situation, law, something laid), equivalent to or- + lay. Cognate with North Frisian oarloge (war), West Frisian oarloch (war), Dutch oorlog (war), Old High German orlac (fate), Icelandic örlög (destiny, fate", also "war).

Noun

orlay

  1. (Anglo-Saxon, heathenry) Fate; destiny.
    • 2004, Nathaniel Harris, Witcha: A Book of Cunning:
      There laws they laid, there life chose, To men's sons, and spoke orlay [...]
    • 2006, An Heathen Reader: Some Thoughts on the State of Things I Think, anheathenreader.blogspot.com/.../some-thoughts-on-state-of-things-i.html:
      I am fully aware of how Oaths affect my Orlay and my Wyrd. I am Oathed to no one, save the Holy Ones and my Wife.
    • 2009, Alaric Albertsson, Travels Through Middle Earth:
      You could think of your own orlay as the source or seed of your “personal wyrd.” A newborn infant initially inherits its orlay from its parents and ancestors. This initial orlay is its heritage, compiled from the words and deeds of those ancestors.
    • 2011, Swain Wodening, The Sacred and the Holy:
      These deeds done within the innangard of the tribe by its tribesmen are its law, its orlay.

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