Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCALD, n.³ [Dan. skialdrer, to make verses, also a poet. The primary sense is probably to make or to sing. If the latter, we find its affinities in G. schallen, D. schellen, Sw. skalla.]

Among the ancient Scandinavians, a poet; one whose occupation was to compose poems in honor of distinguished men and their achievements, and to recite and sing them on public occasions. The scalds of Denmark and Sweden answered to the bards of the Britons or Celts. Mallet.