When Ulad’s three champions lay sleeping in gore ...
We swear to avenge them.
T. Moore, Irish Melodies iv. (“Avenging and Bright ...” 1814).
Uta, queen of Burgundy, mother of Kriemhild and Günther.--The Nibelungen Lied (twelfth century).
Utha, the “white-bosomed daughter of Herman.” She dwelt “by Thano’s stream,” and was beloved by Frothal. When Fingal was about to slay Frothal, she interposed and saved his life.--Ossian, Carric-Thura.
Uthal, son of Larthmor, petty king of Berrathon (a Scandinavian island). He dethroned his father, and, being very handsome, was beloved by Nina-Tho´ma (daughter of a neighboring prince), who eloped with him. Uthal proved inconstant, and, confining Nina-Thoma in a desert island, fixed his affections on another. In the mean time Ossian and Toscar arrived at Berrothan. A fight ensued, in which Uthal was slain in single combat, and Larthmor restored to his throne. Nina-Thoma was also released, but all her ill treatment could not lessen her deep love, and when she heard of the death of Uthal she languished and died.--Ossian, Berrathon.
Uther or Uter, pendragon or war-chief of the Britons. He married Igerna, widow of Gorloïs, and was by her the father of Arthur and Anne. This Arthur was the famous hero who instituted the knights of the Round Table.--Geoffrey, History of Britain, viii. 20 (1142).
Uthorno, a bay of Denmark, into which Fingal was driven by stress of weather. It was near the residence of Starno, king of Lochlin (Denmark).--Ossian, Cath-Loda, i.
Uto´pia, a political romance by Sir Thomas More.
The word means “nowhere” (Greek, ou-topos). It is an imaginary island, where everything is perfect--the laws, the politics, the morals, the institutions, etc. The author, by contrast, shows the evils of existing laws. Carlyle, in his Sartor Resartus, has a place called “Weissnichtwo” [Vice-neckt-vo, “I know not where”]. The Scotch “Kennaquhair” means the same thing (1524).