óáþreifanlegum

Óáþreifanlegur is Icelandic for intangible, describing things that do not have physical form. The form óáþreifanlegum is an inflected variant used in sentences where the adjective modifies a plural noun in certain grammatical cases, for example in phrases such as óáþreifanlegum eignum or óáþreifanlegum réttindum. In Icelandic usage, the term is common in economics, law, and philosophy to distinguish non-physical phenomena from tangible objects.

In business and accounting, the term is most often associated with intangible assets. Óáþreifanlegar eignir include goodwill, patents, copyrights, trademarks, software, licenses, and contractual rights. These assets lack physical substance and are typically measured and reported separately from tangible assets. Their accounting treatment usually involves initial recognition at cost, with amortization over useful life where applicable, or impairment testing for assets with indefinite life. The specifics depend on the accounting framework used (for example local standards or international standards such as IFRS).

Beyond financial reporting, óáþreifanlegur can describe intangible rights and phenomena in law and public policy, such as intellectual property rights, brand value, or know-how, as well as abstract concepts studied in philosophy and social sciences. The term thus covers a broad range of non-material assets and ideas.

Etymologically, the word is formed with the negating prefix ó- attached to a base meaning touchable or graspable, signaling the absence of physical form. Related terms include áþreifanlegur for tangible, and phrases like óáþreifanlegar eignir for intangible assets.