Doldhet

Doldhet is a noun used in Swedish and Norwegian to denote the state or quality of being hidden or not openly stated: concealment, secrecy, or opacity. It covers both literal concealment, such as something kept out of sight, and figurative concealment, including undisclosed information, motives, or intentions. In politics, journalism, literature, and philosophy, doldhet is used to discuss lack of transparency or the presence of hidden factors.

Etymology: Doldhet is formed from the adjective dold, meaning hidden, with the abstract-noun suffix -het. The word has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, such as Danish doldhed, and shares a common Germanic heritage with similar terms in other languages.

Contexts and nuance: The term can describe physical concealment, obfuscation, or strategic secrecy, as well as a mood of inscrutability or mystery in narrative. Because of its slightly formal or literary tone, doldhet is more common in written discourse than in everyday speech. It can function as a critical marker when discussing governance, media, or organizational practices that lack openness.

Related terms and contrasts: Doldhet is closely related to concepts of hemlighet or hemmelighold in Norwegian and Swedish for "secret," and to openness or transparency as antonyms. In analytical writing, doldhet helps foreground questions about credibility, accountability, and the visibility of information.

See also: Secrecy, Transparency, Opacity, Hemlighet, Öppenhet.