Odgoda

Odgoda is a noun used in several South Slavic languages, most commonly Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, and Slovenian, to denote the postponement or delay of a scheduled event, deadline, or obligation. The term is closely related to odgoditi (to postpone) and odgađanje (postponement).

Usage and scope: In legal and administrative contexts, odgoda refers to a formal extension granted by a competent authority, such as a court or regulator, allowing more time to perform a duty or file documents. In everyday and business language, it is used for rescheduling meetings, deadlines, shipments, or project milestones. In education and sports, it describes when an assignment, exam, or match is moved to a later date for reasons such as weather, safety, or administrative needs.

Implications: An odgoda can alter obligations and may carry conditions, such as new deadlines, penalties, or required justification. Procedures typically require a formal request or documentation supporting the need for delay, and the accepting authority may impose limits or further steps to ensure compliance.

Etymology and related forms: The term is part of a family of related forms, including odgoditi (to postpone) and odgađanje (postponement), and shares roots common to related verbs and nouns in the language family. Variants and spelling can differ between languages, but the underlying concept remains consistent: delaying a scheduled action to a later time.