aðgildi

aðgildi is an Icelandic noun that refers to the value, worth, or significance of an object, idea, or action. The word is commonly used in economic, legal, philosophical, and everyday contexts to denote the monetary or non‑monetary worth assigned to something. In its most literal sense, aðgildi denotes price or payment for goods or services, while in a broader sense it can describe the perceived importance or utility of a concept or effort.

The term originates from the Old Norse adjective aðgild, meaning “worth‑while” or “to be earned.” The noun form Aðgildur, from which aðgildi can be derived, has been in continuous use in the Icelandic language since before the 19th century. Icelandic dictionaries list it as a common noun, often collocated with adjectives such as hár (high) or læg (low) to form phrases like hár aðgildi or læg aðgildi.

In legal language, aðgildi is frequently found in contracts and deeds, referring to the compensation or value stipulated for the transfer of property or services. In academic writing, philosophers use the term in discussions of ethics and justice, where it speaks to the intrinsic or instrumental value of moral choices. The word can also appear in scientific discourse, particularly in economics and statistics, where it denotes the worth or output of particular variables or processes.

Because aðgildi is a common term, it is found in everyday Icelandic speech, often in contexts where someone evaluates the benefit or cost of an action, choice, or object. Its frequent usage in multiple disciplines makes it a key lexical item for understanding the rhe tvՈre of Icelandic discussions about value.