heimildinni

heimildinni is the definite dative singular form of the Icelandic noun heimild, which means source or reference. In Icelandic, heimild is used for any information source that supports a claim, such as a book, article, database, or testimony. The form heimildinni appears specifically when the noun is definite and required in the dative case. This situation arises in certain grammatical constructions and in older or more formal prose, though many everyday uses favor other cases or the indefinite form. The related forms include heimild (the base or indefinite form), heimildin (nominative definite), and heimildir (plural). Because Icelandic grammar marks case, number, and definiteness on the noun, speakers adjust the inflection to fit the sentence.

In practice, discussions of sources in Icelandic scholarship, journalism, and library and archival contexts frequently revolve around the concept of a heimild, with the plural heimildir appearing for multiple sources. The word is part of standard Icelandic lexicon and appears in dictionaries, bibliographies, and academic writing. Etymologically, heimild stems from native Icelandic roots and has cognates in related Scandinavian languages, reflecting its role in the documentation and citation of information.