Langsommelighed

Langsommelighed is a noun used in Danish and Norwegian to describe the quality or state of being slow or deliberate. It can refer to a slow tempo in music, a manner of acting that is careful and unhurried, or a general disposition toward measured thinking and action. The term conveys both tempo and temperament, with nuance shaped by context.

Etymology: Langsommelighed is formed from langsom, meaning slow, together with the abstract-noun suffix -hed in Danish or -het in Norwegian. The word has medieval roots and remains in contemporary use, primarily in formal, literary, or academic discourse.

Usage: In musical contexts, langsommelighed may indicate a slow and restrained character. In everyday language, it denotes deliberate caution in decision-making, planning, or conduct. The nuance can be positive—emphasizing thoroughness and patience—or negative when it implies unnecessary delay or indecision.

See also: langsomhet, overvejelse.