(Old Norse, meaning "fellowship, partnership") was a joint financial venture between partners in Viking Age society. Etymology The word is constructed by the word (cattle, wealth) and a verbal base denoting "lay", the meaning being "to lay property together." The Old Norse word "companion, comrade" originally meaning "one who has with another" has resulted in the modern English word fellow from Old English , Danish from Old Danish felge, and Norwegian . The modern English word fellowship derives from the Old Norse stem, adding the -ship suffix as a "condition of being", cognate with Icelandic . The word also exists in other Germanic languages; Norwegian , Danish and Dutch . Runic inscriptions The term is mentioned on a broad range of runic inscriptions, most notably in the form (see etymology section), in these contexts meaning "comrade", "weapon brother" or "partner". Runestones that use a form of the term include Sö 292 in Bröta, Vg 112 in Ås, Vg 122 in Abrahamstorp, the now-lost Vg 146 in Slöta, Vg 182 in Skattegården, U 391 in Villa Karlsro, the now-lost U 954 in Söderby, DR 1 in Haddeby, DR 66 and DR 68 in Århus, DR 125 in Dalbyover, DR 127 in Hobro, DR 262 in Fosie, DR 270 in Skivarp, DR 279 in Sjörup, DR 316 in Norra Nöbbelöv, DR 318 in Håstad, DR 321 in Västra Karaby, DR 329 and DR 330 in Gårdstånga, DR 339 in Stora Köpinge, and X UaFv1914;47 in Berezanj, Ukraina. N 648 is mentioned on N 648, a (cylinder shaped piece of wood with a smooth side for the runes) excavated in Bergen. The inscription dates back to the early fourteenth century. The inscription speaks of Þórir the Fair who greets his Hafgrímr, and requests his partner to help him in need. See also Fe rune References Viking practices Early Germanic law Early Germanic economy