Kerfisorða

Kerfisorða is a term used in Icelandic linguistics. It refers to a specific type of compound word where the first element is a genitive form of a noun, and the second element is another noun. This construction is common in Icelandic and serves to create new, often more specific, meanings.

For example, in the word "húsdyr" (house animal), "hús" is the genitive singular of "hús" (house), and "dyr" means animal. Thus, "húsdyr" translates to "house animal" or pet. Another example is "barnabarn" (child's child), where "barns" is the genitive singular of "barn" (child), and "barn" again means child, forming the word for grandchild.

The genitive form in these compounds often indicates possession, origin, or a relationship between the two parts of the word. Understanding kerfisorða is crucial for comprehending the structure and derivation of many Icelandic words. This linguistic feature contributes to the richness and expressiveness of the Icelandic language. While the concept of genitive compounds exists in other Germanic languages, the term kerfisorða is specific to Icelandic linguistics.