Ofpäringuna

Ofpäringuna is a term that appears in historical Icelandic texts, often referring to a type of compensation or indemnity. Its precise meaning can be nuanced and context-dependent, but generally, it relates to a payment made in response to a wrong, injury, or loss.

The word can be broken down into "of-" which can indicate excess or being too much, and "päringuna," related to paying or a payment. This suggests a payment that might be considered substantial or perhaps a payment made because of an excess of something, such as excessive damage or transgression. It is not to be confused with the modern Icelandic word "upphæð" which means amount or sum.

In legal contexts, ofpäringuna could be part of a settlement or a judgment intended to redress a grievance. The specific circumstances under which an ofpäringuna was levied or paid would determine its exact nature. It might have been associated with legal disputes, breaches of contract, or even social transgressions that required financial restitution. Understanding ofpäringuna requires careful examination of the specific Old Norse or medieval Icelandic legal and social frameworks in which it was used.