Skikkelse

Skikkelse is a noun used in Danish and Norwegian to denote appearance, figure, or form. It refers to the outward physical look of a person or creature, including posture, build, clothing, and overall silhouette. In a broader sense, the term can describe the visible manifestation of a person or entity, or an impression of demeanor.

The word is commonly applied to describe people in everyday speech and descriptive prose, as well as to describe objects or scenes in visual settings. It is also used in literature and narrative contexts to denote a character or figure within a story, or to refer to a mysterious or notable apparition, such as a figure appearing in the dark or a strange presence in a scene. In art and sculpture, skikkelse can describe the form or figure represented.

In overførte betydninger (figurative use), skikkelse may refer to a person’s role or identity within a group, or to the archetype of a character in a narrative. The term is versatile and appears across genres, from realism to supernatural fiction, where it often carries connotations of presence or significance rather than mere appearance.

Skikkelse is a standard term in Danish and Norwegian, and its exact nuance depends on context, ranging from neutral description of appearance to more evocative or ominous associations in literary and spoken language.