ra (OSw) rá (ON) noun

Literally, ‘pole’. It is used to refer to a boundary or boundary line marked by a pole or poles. This word is frequently combined in an alliterative expression with rör ‘pile of stones’. In that case, it could have signified a pile of stones topped by a stake or pole, used as a boundary marker. It is also combined with other nouns to indicate the function of the boundary referred to (frequently depending upon the context): village, highway, farmland, curtilage, enclave or plot. The word is widely used on its own to mean ‘acceptable boundary marker’ in general. In UL, for example, several arrangements are described that are counted as a ra, some of which include a pole, and some of which do not. A stake or pole was used as a boundary marker where stones would not be appropriate — at a shoreline, for instance.

boundary OSw KrL Bb
OSw MEL Bb
OSw UL Blb
OSw VmL Bb
boundary line OSw UL Blb
OSw VmL Bb
boundary mark OSw KrL Bb
OSw MEL Bb
boundary marker OSw DL Bb
OSw SdmL Bb
OSw UL Blb
OSw VmL Bb
sail-yard ONorw GuL Leb
Expressions:

ra ok rör (OSw)

boundary lines and markers OSw UL Jb, Blb VmL Bb

Refs:

KLNM s.v. gränsläggning; Schlyter s.v. ra; Tollin 1999 51−63