Elszánt

Elszánt is a Hungarian term that functions primarily as an adjective derived from the verb szántani, meaning to plow. It refers to land that has already been plowed and prepared for sowing. In contemporary standard Hungarian, the more common expression for such land is szántott föld or szántott terület. Elszánt appears mainly in older, regional, or literary contexts and is less frequent in everyday language.

Etymology and form: The word is formed with the prefix el- added to the root szánt (from szántani). The prefix indicates a completed state or result of the action. In modern usage, szántott is the standard past participle, while elszánt survives as a literary or regional variant. Because of this, elszánt is typically encountered in historical descriptions of agriculture or in texts aiming to evoke rural scenery.

Usage and context: Elszánt is largely restricted to specific stylistic registers. It can convey a rustic, archaic, or pastoral tone in prose and poetry. In everyday documents and contemporary farming language, szántott terület is preferred. The form may appear in historical records, folk narratives, or regional dialect writings where older or alternative forms of agricultural vocabulary persist.

See also: szántás, szántóföld, szántó, szántani.

Note: Modern Hungarian generally favors szántott for the past participle of szántani. Elszánt should be understood as a historical or regional variant rather than a standard term in current usage.