höfnir

Höfnir is the plural form of the Icelandic noun höfn, meaning harbor or port. It is used to refer to more than one harbor or to harbors collectively in nautical and geographic contexts. In ordinary references, höfnir denotes multiple harbors, such as when describing coastal towns or port facilities.

Etymology and linguistic notes: The word höfn originates in Icelandic from Old Norse, with cognates in other North Germanic languages reflecting the same meaning of a harbor or port. Höfnir, as the plural, follows Icelandic patterns for number in nouns and is used when talking about several harbors.

Usage and examples: Höfnir appears in descriptive writing about coastlines, nautical guides, and geographical lists where more than one harbor is involved. It is also encountered in place-name contexts related to coastal infrastructure or regional descriptions. A well-known toponym is Höfn, a harbor town in eastern Iceland near Hornafjörður; its name highlights the central role of the harbor in the town’s identity, and it is distinct from the general plural term höfnir.

See also: Icelandic language; harbor; geography of Iceland.