orlay

English

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Old English orlæġ (“fate”), from Proto-West Germanic *oʀlag, *uʀlag, from Proto-Germanic *uzlagą (“destiny; fate”, literally “that which is laid out; out-lay; plan; design”). Equivalent to or- +‎ lay.

Noun

orlay (plural not attested)

1. (Germanic paganism) 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.

   • 2021, Winifred Rose, Heathen Soul Lore Foundations:

     Remember how I wrote at the beginning of this chapter that the Norns 'shape' orlay. Orlay itself gives a person 'shape' within the dimensions of Time and Wyrd.

See also

• wyrd

Anagrams

• Aylor, Royal, aroyl, royal