\Rune\ (r[udd]n), n. [AS. r[=u]n a rune, a secret, a
mystery; akin to Icel. r[=u]n, OHG. & Goth. r[=u]na a secret,
secret colloquy, G. & Dan. rune rune, and probably to Gr.
'ereyna^n to search for. Cf. {Roun} to whisper.]
1. A letter, or character, belonging to the written language
   of the ancient Norsemen, or Scandinavians; in a wider
   sense, applied to the letters of the ancient nations of
   Northern Europe in general.
Note: The Norsemen had a peculiar alphabet, consisting of
      sixteen letters, or characters, called runes, the
      origin of which is lost in the remotest antiquity. The
      signification of the word rune (mystery) seems to
      allude to the fact that originally only a few were
      acquainted with the use of these marks, and that they
      were mostly applied to secret tricks, witchcrafts and
      enchantments. But the runes were also used in
      communication by writing.
2. pl. Old Norse poetry expressed in runes.
         Runes were upon his tongue, As on the warrior's
         sword.                                --Longfellow.
{Rune stone}, a stone bearing a runic inscription.