Innskot

Innskot is a term used in Norwegian, Icelandic, and other Scandinavian languages to denote an insertion or inlay. It functions as both a noun and a verb in some contexts. The word is of Old Norse origin and has cognates across Scandinavian languages, typically relating to placing something within or into a structure.

In linguistics, innskot refers to the insertion of a segment within a word, such as an epenthetic vowel or consonant that facilitates pronunciation or alters a pattern of sound. In textual practice, innskot can mean an inserted gloss or comment within the main text, especially in manuscript tradition.

In the craft and decorative arts, innskot refers to an inlay: a piece of material—wood, metal, ivory, or stone—set into a base surface to form a pattern or image. This decorative technique is found in furniture, architecture, and religious objects across medieval and early modern Nordic material culture.

In modern usage, the term is largely restricted to technical or historical contexts. It may appear in scholarly descriptions of language or material culture but is not common in everyday speech. For precise meaning, the surrounding language and field should be consulted.