VÁTTR

(-s, -ar), m. witness (hafa vátta við, nefna vátta).

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m., mod. vottr, pl. vættir, D. N. i. 7; [cp. vitni; the etymology of this word is not altogether established, but it is highly probable that it, like vitni (q. v.). is derived from vita and is related to Goth. weit-wodei = μαρτύριον; if so, á would stand for Goth. ei, and the ‘-orð’ in váttorð would not be qs. ‘word,’ but would answer to the Goth. ‘wodei,’ with an inserted r]:—a witness; hafa vátta við, Nj. 3; lét hann ganga fram vitni sín ok vátta, Fms. vii. 141; njóta vátta sinna, N. G. L. i. 55, passim: eccl., Guðs-váttr, God’s witness, a martyr, saint, Blas. 43; Krists váttr, 49; píslar-váttr (q. v.), id.

COMPDS: váttanefna, váttasaga.