Blettir

Blettir is the Icelandic plural noun meaning stains or blemishes. It is the plural form of blettur, a masculine noun used to describe marks on surfaces, textiles, or skin. The term covers both literal stains and blemishes as well as figurative flaws.

Historically, blettir and blettur derive from Old Norse blettur, with cognates in other North Germanic languages. This reflects a shared linguistic concept of a “spot” or “mark” across related languages.

Usage-wise, blettir are described when discussing discolorations on clothing, walls, or objects, as well as skin blemishes and cosmetic marks. In literature and everyday speech, blettir can also be used metaphorically to denote flaws, taints, or imperfections in something non-physical, such as character or reputation.

In translation, blettir is commonly rendered as “stains” or “blemishes,” with nuance depending on context. The singular blettur corresponds to a single mark, while blettir refers to multiple marks or blemishes.

See also: blemish, stain, mark, spot, Icelandic vocabulary.