Editing Jötunn (section)

==Origin, appearance and terminology==
===Terms and etymology===
[[File:Beowulf - eotenas.jpg|thumb|The word {{lang|ang|eotenas}} in the manuscript of ''[[Beowulf]]'']]

{{langx|non|jötunn}} and [[Old English]] {{lang|ang|eoten}} developed from the [[Proto-Germanic]] masculine noun {{lang|gem-x-proto|*etunaz}}.<ref name="OREL-86">Orel (2003:86).</ref>  [[Philology|Philologist]] [[Vladimir Orel]] says that semantic connections between {{lang|gem-x-proto|*etunaz}} with Proto-Germanic {{lang|gem-x-proto|*etanan}} ('to eat') makes a relation between the two words likely.<ref name="OREL-86"/> The words are cognate with {{Wikt-lang|en|ettin}}, an archaic word for a type of being.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/ettin#etymonline_v_11667 |title=Ettin |work=Online Etymology Dictionary |access-date=12 May 2021 |archive-date=7 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507015847/https://www.etymonline.com/word/ettin#etymonline_v_11667 |url-status=live }}</ref> Old Norse {{lang|non|risi}} and Old High German {{lang|goh|riso}} derive from the Proto-Germanic masculine noun {{lang|gem-x-proto|*wrisjon}}. Orel observes that the [[Old Saxon]] adjective {{lang|osx|wrisi-līk}} 'enormous' is likely also connected.<ref name="OREL-472">Orel (2003:472).</ref> Old Norse {{lang|non|þurs}}, Old English {{lang|ang|þyrs}}, and Old High German {{lang|goh|duris}} 'devil, evil spirit' derive from the Proto-Germanic masculine noun {{lang|gem-x-proto|*þur(i)saz}}, itself derived from Proto-Germanic {{lang|gem-x-proto|*þurēnan}}, which is etymologically connected to [[Sanskrit]] {{lang|sa-Latn|turá}}- 'strong, powerful, rich'.<ref name="OREL429-430">Orel (2003:429–430).</ref> Several terms are used specifically to refer to female entities that fall into this wider category, including {{lang|non|íviðja}} (plural {{Lang|non|íviðjur}}), {{lang|non|gýgr}} (plural {{Lang|non|gýgjar}}) and {{lang|non|tröllkona}} (plural {{lang|non|tröllkonur}}).{{sfn|íviðja}}{{sfn|gýgr}}{{sfn|trollkona}}

Terms for {{lang|non|jötnar}} are also found in Old Norse compound words such as {{lang|non|bergrisi}},{{sfn|bergrisi}} ("mountain-risi") and {{lang|non|hrímþurs}} ("rime-þurs", or "frost-þurs").{{sfn|hrímþurs}}

The cognates {{lang|non|jötunn}} and {{lang|ang|eoten}}, and {{lang|non|þurs}} and {{lang|ang|þyrs}} have been equated by scholars such as [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] and [[Rudolf Simek]], with the words being used to describe the being in either [[Old Norse]] or [[Old English]] respectively.{{sfn|Tolkien|2011}}{{sfn|Simek|2008|pp=107,334}}

===Appearance, connotations and distinctions===
In the [[Eddas]], {{lang|non|jötnar}} are beings typically with similar power to the gods and may also be referred to by the negative terms {{lang|non|[[troll]]}} and {{lang|non|þurs}}.{{sfn|Simek|2008|p=33}}{{sfn|Jakobsson|2009}} The harmful nature of {{lang|non|þursar}} is also described in the [[Rune poems|Icelandic and Norwegian rune poems]], where they are identified for causing strife to women.<ref name="DICKINS28-33">Dickins (1915:28–33)</ref>{{sfn|Wikisource, Rune poems}}  Descriptions of the appearance of {{lang|non|jötnar}} are uncommon; however, the progenitor of the {{lang|non|jötnar}} is described as having the form of a man.{{sfn|Jakobsson|2006}} Some female {{lang|non|jötnar}} are described as being beautiful, such as [[Gerðr]] and [[Hymir]]'s partner, while others are described as monstrous and having many heads.{{sfn|Orchard tr.|2011|pp=59–66,76–82|loc=För Skírnis: Skírnir's journey, Hymiskvida: The song of Hymir}} Some dwarfs are described as {{lang|non|jötnar}} such as [[Regin]] and [[Fáfnir]], while in [[Alvíssmál]], the eponymous dwarf is noted for having the likeness of a {{lang|non|þurs}}.{{sfn|Motz|1982|pp=70–84}}

As the influence of Christianity grew, {{lang|non|jötnar}} became [[demonisation|demonised]] and typically portrayed as less intelligent, easier to outwit and more monstrous, as is common with giants in later [[Germanic folklore]].{{sfn|Simek|2008|p=107}} In some later sagas, such as [[Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss]], {{lang|non|risar}} are clearly distinct from {{lang|non|jötnar}} however in others the terms are used interchangeably, albeit with an overall trend that {{lang|non|jötnar}} have begun to be seen negatively relative to {{lang|non|risar}}.{{sfn|Jakobsson|2009}}

{{lang|non|Troll}} has a much wider semantic scope in Old Norse literature than solely {{lang|non|jötnar}}, also including individuals with unusual or supernatural traits such as witches, abnormally strong, large or ugly people, ghosts and [[berserkers]].{{sfn|Jakobsson|2008}}

===Glossing as "giant"===
Terms for {{lang|non|jötnar}} are often translated into Modern English as "giant" or "giantess".{{sfn|Motz|1982|pp=70–84}} [[John Lindow]] uses the glosses to contrast them with the gods but notes that they are not giant, being similar in size to the gods, and are best conceived of as a kin or family group, separated by relation rather than physical appearance.{{sfn|Lindow|2002|p=2}} Due to this issue, some scholars such as Terry Gunnell, [[Jeramy Dodds]] and [[Benjamin Thorpe]] either anglicise or leave untranslated terms for {{lang|non|jötnar}} in translations and academic work.{{sfn|Ásdísardóttir|2018}}{{sfn|Dodds|2015|p=9}}{{sfn|Thorpe|2010}}