dæmið

Dæmið is the definite singular form of the Icelandic noun dæmi, which means "an example" or "an instance." Dæmi is a neuter noun; dæmið is used when referring to a specific example known from context. The indefinite form is dæmi, and the definite plural is dæmin. These forms reflect Icelandic noun inflection, where the definite suffix is attached to the noun to indicate definiteness.

In usage, dæmi appears across registers—from everyday speech to academic writing. Its core meaning is "an example," but in educational contexts it is also used to mean "an exercise" or "a problem" in textbooks and problem sets. Textbooks often label tasks as Dæmi 1, Dæmi 2, and so on, referring to individual exercises rather than abstract illustrations.

Common phrases include "Í þessu dæmi má sjá ..." meaning "In this example one can see ..." and "þetta dæmi" or "dæmið" to refer to a particular instance in discussion. The definite form dæmið can function as the subject or object when the example is the topic of discussion.

Etymologically, dæmi is a native Icelandic word with cognates in other North Germanic languages, such as Danish dæmi. The term is widely used in education, rhetoric, and everyday language to indicate a representative instance or model for illustration or analysis.