runed
Bearing ancient symbols
Runed describes something marked or inscribed with runes—the angular letters of ancient Germanic alphabets.
The word appears almost exclusively in fantasy contexts, describing magical objects bearing mystical inscriptions: a runed sword, runed stones scattered across the altar.
Outside fantasy literature and games, the standard form is runic.
Under magical influence
- spellboundHeld as if enchanted
- charmedPleased or bewitched
- wardedDeflected or blocked
- hexedPlaced under curse
cursed · blessed · imbued · empowered · arcane · mystical · occult · talisman
Visual form of character
- sigilMagical or heraldic symbol
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
- alphabetLanguage's letter system
- cipherHidden writing system
pictograph · ideogram · character · marking · emblem · icon · motif · cryptic
Shaping by cutting away
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- engravingCarving into hard surfaces
- inscriptionText permanently marked
- chiselEdged carving implement
stone · tablet · monolith · standing stone · petroglyph · epitaph · lettering · script
enchanted
Under magical influence
- spellboundHeld as if enchanted
- charmedPleased or bewitched
- wardedDeflected or blocked
hexed · cursed · blessed · imbued · empowered · arcane · mystical · occult · talisman · amulet
glyph
Visual form of character
cipher · pictograph · ideogram · character · marking · emblem · icon · motif · cryptic · coded
carving
Shaping by cutting away
- etchingAcid-incised metal print
- engravingCarving into hard surfaces
- inscriptionText permanently marked
chisel · stone · tablet · monolith · standing stone · petroglyph · epitaph · lettering · script · scratched
Norse
Ancient Scandinavian civilization
Germanic · Scandinavia · staves · heathenry · paganism · archaeology · artifacts · druids · celts
- runic carvingsLetters from old alphabets, chiseled
- rune stoneInscribed Nordic monument
- Viking runesNordic carved alphabet symbols
- rune magicMystical use of ancient Norse symbols
- Nordic runesOld Germanic writing symbols
- rune tattoosInked Germanic script symbols