Líkamlegt

Líkamlegt is an Icelandic adjective meaning bodily, physical, or corporeal. It describes aspects related to the body as opposed to the mind or spirit and is used in medical, philosophical, and everyday contexts to distinguish physical from non-physical phenomena.

In usage, líkamlegt is the neuter singular form of the adjective líkamlegur, which indicates that the word agrees with the gender and number of the noun it modifies. Common examples include líkamlegt ástand (bodily state) and líkamlegt eðli (bodily nature). The term is often contrasted with andlegt or sálrænt meanings that pertain to mental, spiritual, or non-physical aspects.

Etymology and sense development center on the body as a linguistic root. Líkamlegt is formed from a stem related to líkami or lík- meaning body, combined with the attributive suffix that yields a property or characteristic. The result is a term frequently found in scientific, clinical, and theoretical discussions to denote physical characteristics, as distinct from psychological or social dimensions.

Related terms and usage notes: líkamlegur serves as the base form for masculine contexts, while the general concept is used across disciplines to discuss physical phenomena, anatomy, physiology, and physical health. The expression helps scholars and writers specify that statements pertain to the body rather than to mind or culture.