útgáfum

Útgáfum is Icelandic and refers to publications or editions. It is the dative plural form of the noun útgáfa, which means publication, edition, or issue. In bibliographic and publishing contexts, útgáfum designates the set of works issued by a publisher or the editions of a specific work. The term is thus tied to production, distribution, and bibliographic description.

Usage and scope include printed materials such as books, magazines, and newspapers, as well as digital editions and serial issues. It appears in catalogs, library records, and publishing announcements to indicate which edition or release of material is being referenced. In everyday language, phrases about “nýjustu útgáfum bókarins” or “útgáfum mánaðarins” exemplify how the term is used to signal editions or issues.

Relationship to related terms: The base noun is útgáfa (publication, edition). A person or organization that produces these outputs is an útgefandi (publisher). In scholarly work and bibliographies, útgáfum are often compared with other editions or reprints, and with translations or revised versions that may constitute separate útgáfur within a publication history.

Historical and contemporary context: Icelandic publishing developed with print media from several centuries ago, evolving into a diverse landscape of small and large presses, journals, and digital publishers. Contemporary útgáfum encompass traditional print editions as well as e-books, online journals, and other digital formats, reflecting broader changes in distribution and access.

Legal and bibliographic considerations: Copyright, licensing, and rights management govern use of útgáfum. Libraries, archives, and bibliographic databases catalogue útgáfum to aid discovery, citation, and scholarly work, while licensing terms shape how editions can be shared or republished.