gildið

Gildið is the definite form of the Icelandic noun gildi, meaning value or worth. It is used across several senses to indicate the amount, importance, or significance of something, depending on context. In economics, gildið expresses the monetary value or price of an item, although in everyday speech verð or verðmæti are also common terms. In mathematics and computing, gildið refers to the numerical value of a quantity or expression, such as the value of a variable in an equation.

In ethics and culture, gildi (the plural form) denotes values or principles—standards that guide behavior, such as honesty, freedom, or equality. The word can also appear in reference to a specific set of norms held by an individual or society when discussing normative judgments.

Etymology and usage notes: gildið derives from the Old Norse gildi, with related forms in other Scandinavian languages. The definite suffix -ið marks “the” value, as in a particular value being discussed in a sentence. The term is versatile and common in formal and practical Icelandic, spanning financial, logical, and cultural contexts.

See also: gildi, virði, verð, verðmæti.