hlið

Hlið is an Icelandic noun with several related meanings. In its most general sense, it denotes a side or edge of an object or body—the part of something that is not the front or back. In everyday language, it is often used in compounds such as framhlið (the front side) and bakhlið (the back side).

In addition, hlið can refer to an opening such as a gate or doorway in a wall, fence, or enclosure. This sense emphasizes an entrance or access point and is common in architectural descriptions and everyday talk about buildings, yards, or property boundaries.

Figuratively, hlið may denote an aspect or facet of a subject or issue, referring to a particular side or perspective of the matter. For example, phrases about “the side of the matter” use this concept to discuss different viewpoints.

Etymology and usage: The word is of Old Norse origin and has cognates in related North Germanic languages, reflecting its longstanding presence in the Icelandic language. In modern use, hlið appears across contexts—from concrete descriptions of physical objects and architectural elements to figurative language describing perspectives or facets.

See also: framhlið, bakhlið.