Rūne, n.

n. [A-S. rûn, a magical letter, a mystery, Icel. rûn, rūna, O. Sax., O. H. Ger., Goth., & Sw. rûna, M. & N. H. Ger. & Dan. rune. Cf. ROUN.] The Runic letter or character.

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 also that they were mostly applied to secret tricks, witchcrafts, and enchantments. But the Runes were also used in communication by writing.

Rune stone, a stone bearing an inscription in the Runic character.