Hovedform

Hovedform, a Norwegian term literally meaning “main form” or “head form,” is used in several disciplines to denote the primary, defining shape of an object or concept. The exact meaning depends on the field, but it generally contrasts the hovedform with secondary, variant, or derived forms.

In design and architecture, the hovedform refers to the dominant mass or silhouette that determines the visual character of a product or structure. Details, textures, and modules are regarded as subordinate elements that modify or complement the hovedform without altering its essential gesture.

In linguistics and lexicography, the term may be used to describe the canonical or base form of a word serving as the reference point for analysis or indexing. This usage is analogous to the concept of a lemma or base form in other languages, though the precise terminology can vary by tradition or author.

In manufacturing and crafts, the hovedform describes the starting or master form from which copies are produced or shapes are derived. It serves as the anchor for tolerances, proportions, and subsequent refinements in a production process.

The term is not standardized in international terminology and appears most often in regional texts or translations from Norwegian or Danish. When encountered, its exact meaning should be inferred from context—whether the discussion is about aesthetics and form, linguistic indexing, or production geometry.

See also: lemma, canonical form, principal form, silhouette, master pattern.