Atter

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Atter (Old English: āttor; cf. Old Norse: eitr) is an archaic, and poetic, term for poisonous bodily fluid, especially venom of a venomous animal, such as a snake, dragon or other reptile, but also other vile, corrupt or morbid substance from the body, such as pus from a sore or wound, as well as bitter substance, such as bile. Figuratively, it can also be moral corruption or corruptness; noxious or corrupt influence, poison to the soul, evil, anger, envy, hatred; as well as destruction and death. Cognates in other Germanic languages are less archaic. Its Nordic cognates (Danish: edder; Faroese: eitur; Icelandic: eitur; Norwegian: eiter; Swedish: etter) are terms for venom and poison, while its Dutch and German cognates (Dutch: etter; German: Eiter) refer to pus. Today, atter is commonly associated with the Norse mythology, where it plays an important role in various contexts – see subsequent section: § In Norse mythology. In Eddic poetry, both the sea serpent Jörmungandr, and the dwarf Fáfnir in dragon-hamr, are described as having attery breath. A similar creature from later Orcadian folklore is the attery stoor worm which was killed by the hero Assipattle, falling into the sea and forming Iceland, Orkney, Shetland and the Faroe Islands. As in the English tale of the Linton worm, the stoor worm is killed by burning its insides with peat.