hlutlausar

Hlutlausar is the feminine plural form of the Icelandic adjective hlutlaus, used to describe things that are impartial or objective. In everyday Icelandic, hlutlaus can refer to a stance or approach that is free from bias, and hlutlausar describes plural feminine nouns, for example hlutlausar fréttir (unbiased news) or hlutlausar skoðanir (neutral opinions).

Etymology and form: The word is formed from the roots hlutur, meaning "object" or "thing," and laus, meaning "without" or "free of." The sense of the term has broadened from a literal “without objects” to figurative meanings such as impartiality and lack of bias. The form hlutlausar signals plural feminine agreement.

Usage and contexts: In modern Icelandic, hlutlaus describes objectivity in journalism, research, and public discourse, where reporting or argumentation aims to be free of personal or organizational bias. In philosophy, law, or theology, hlutlaus may be used to discuss impartial positions, or to describe concepts, perspectives, or narrators that strive for neutrality. In literature, the term can be used descriptively for a narrator or voice that presents information in a non-partisan or detached manner, though such usage is more stylistic than normative.

See also and related terms: impartiality, objectivity, neutral reporting. The Icelandic term is specific to Icelandic language use and may not have direct, widely used equivalents in other languages.