eigenskap

Eigenskap is a noun used in Swedish and Norwegian to denote a property, quality, or characteristic of something. It refers to an inherent attribute that helps identify, describe, or distinguish an object, system, or phenomenon. In everyday language, one speaks of a person’s eigenskaper (traits) such as honesty or reliability, or of the eigenskap of materials, such as hardness or electrical conductivity.

Etymology and variants: The term is cognate with the German Eigenschaft, and related forms appear in Scandinavian languages as egenskab (Danish and Norwegian) and egenskap (Swedish). In Swedish, egenskap is the more common everyday form, while eigenskap can occur in older or more technical contexts. The concept is widely used across disciplines and languages to express a distinguishing attribute.

Usage in disciplines: In science and philosophy, properties are discussed as describable and measurable attributes of objects or systems. They can be intrinsic (dependent only on the object itself) or extrinsic (dependent on context or relations). In programming and data modeling, properties or attributes describe data associated with entities. Related terms include attribute, quality, feature, and characteristic. The eigenskap concept provides a basis for classification, analysis, and reasoning about how things are and how they behave.