Orlay

Origin

From Old English orlæġ ("fate"), from Proto-Germanic *uzlagą ("fate", literally out-lay), from *uz- ("out") + *lagą ("situation, law, something laid"), equivalent to - + lay. Cognate with North Frisian oarloge ("war"), West Frisian oarloch ("war"), Dutch oorlog ("war"), Old High German orlac ("fate"), Icelandic örlög ("destiny, fate", also "war").

Full definition of orlay

Noun

1. (Anglo-Saxon, heathenry) 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.