leyfður

Leyfður is an Icelandic adjective and past participle meaning "permitted" or "licensed." It is derived from the verb leyfa, “to permit,” with the participial suffix -ður, and it is used to indicate that something has received official permission or authorization from a competent authority. In legal and official language, objects, activities, or persons described as leyfður have met applicable licensing or regulatory requirements.

Etymology and form: Leyfður combines leyfa with the participial ending and inflects like other -ður adjectives to agree with gender and number. The word is part of a family of terms related to permission and licensing, such as leyfi (license) and leyfa (to permit).

Usage: The term appears in formal or regulatory contexts, including licensing regimes, official statements, and compliance reporting. It is common in phrases such as leyfður rekstraraðili (licensed operator) or leyfð starfsemi (permitted activities). Using leyfður signals legal authorization rather than an assessment of quality, safety, or desirability.

Limitations: Being described as leyfður does not guarantee safety, quality, or suitability; it simply indicates that permission has been granted according to applicable rules. Licenses can be conditional, suspended, or revoked, which would affect the status of being leyfður.

Related terms: leyfi (license), leyfa (to permit), löglegt (lawful) and leyfilegt (permissible) are related concepts frequently encountered in similar contexts.