Skilgreinds

Skilgreinds is a term that appears in discussions of Icelandic grammar rather than as a widely attested lexical entry. It is generally regarded as a nonstandard, dialectal, or historical form derived from the verb skilgreina, meaning “to define.” In standard Icelandic, the past participle forms most commonly used are skilgreindur (masculine singular), skilgreind (feminine or neuter in some contexts), and skilgreint (neuter). The form skilgreinds is not listed as a common lemma in major dictionaries and is rarely encountered in contemporary standard usage.

Usage and interpretation

When skilgreinds occurs, it is typically described as an inflected participial form that some grammars or regional varieties employ in specific grammatical environments. Because it is not part of the conventional, modern Icelandic paradigm, speakers and writers who rely on standard usage are advised to choose the regular participial forms—skilgreindur, skilgreint, or skilgreind—depending on gender, number, and definiteness of the noun it modifies.

Linguistic context

Skilgreinds can be mentioned in advanced grammar discussions, historical texts, or dialect studies as an example of irregular or age-old inflection patterns. Its presence helps illustrate the range of participial forms that have appeared across Icelandic varieties, even if the form itself is not part of everyday modern standard Icelandic.

See also

Skilgreina, to define; Icelandic grammar; Participles.