ickedrägliga

ickedrägliga is a Swedish adjective meaning not dreary or not dismal. It is formed from the negation prefix icke- combined with the adjective drägliga, which denotes dreariness or gloom. The term is primarily used in stylistic or critical contexts to describe moods, atmospheres, or tonal qualities that avoid heaviness or melancholy.

Etymology and morphology: The word uses the icke- prefix, a traditional way to create negations in Swedish. Drägliga derives from dräglig, meaning dreary or miserable. Accordingly, ickedrägliga declines like other adjectives: ickedräglig (singular common gender), ickedrägliga (plural), and ickedrägligt (neuter).

Usage and examples: The frequency of ickedrägliga is relatively limited and it often appears in linguistic discussions, literary critique, or analyses of style rather than everyday speech. Examples include phrases such as en ickedräglig ton (a not-dreary tone) or en ickedräglig stämning i filmen (a not-dreary mood in the film). The term signals a deliberate departure from gloom and can emphasize positive or neutral emotional shading.

Notes: Because it is a relatively niche term, ickedrägliga may not be found in all dictionaries and its use can be considered stylistically marked. It is more commonly encountered in analyses of mood, atmosphere, or aesthetic judgments in Swedish-language texts. Related concepts include dräglig (dreary) and common negation forms with icke- prefixes.