alhliða

Alhliða is an Icelandic adjective meaning comprehensive, all-encompassing, or holistic. It describes something that covers all relevant aspects or components of a subject rather than a narrow or partial view. The term is widely used in education, business, policy, research, and journalism to denote breadth of scope and integration of factors.

Etymology and usage notes: The word is formed from the native prefix al- meaning “all” and the root hliða, related to “side” or “aspect.” This gives the sense of something that takes all sides into account. It is typically used with nouns to indicate the extent of coverage or consideration, for example alhliða rannsókn (a comprehensive study), alhliða nálgun (a holistic approach), alhliða skipulag (comprehensive planning), and alhliða úttekt (a thorough audit).

Contexts and examples: In planning and governance, alhliða nálgun is used to ensure that economic, social, environmental, and cultural factors are considered together. In academia and research, alhliða rannsókn aims to assess a topic from multiple angles rather than focusing on a single parameter. In media and critique, alhliða gagnrýni signals a broad, integrative evaluation.

Related terms: Heildstæður (holistic), víðtækur (extensive), and yfirgripsmikill (wide-ranging, thorough) are closely connected concepts used to convey similar breadth or depth.

In English, alhliða is often translated as “comprehensive” or “holistic,” depending on the context.