friðsaman

Friðsaman is an Icelandic term that functions as an adjective or adverb meaning “in peace together” or “peacefully united.” It is used to describe people, groups, or communities that coexist without conflict and cooperate harmoniously. In historical or literary contexts, the phrase can emphasize reconciliation, stability, and social cohesion following a dispute or treaty.

Etymology and form: The word is formed from frið, meaning peace, and saman, meaning together. Together they create a compound that conveys peaceful togetherness. In older orthography, related spellings such as friðsaman may appear, reflecting historical variations in Icelandic spelling. In modern usage, friðsaman is understood as describing a state or manner of peaceful coexistence.

Usage and context: In contemporary Icelandic, friðsaman can describe relations, settlements, or processes characterized by nonviolent cooperation. It is commonly employed in discussions of peace-building, reconciliation, diplomacy, and social cohesion. The term emphasizes a condition in which differences are resolved or managed without resorting to conflict.

See also: Icelandic language, Peace, Reconciliation, Cooperation.