löngum

Löngum is a form found in Icelandic grammar that represents a case-inflected variant of the adjective langur, meaning long. It is most often discussed in the context of historical texts and linguistic descriptions of Icelandic adjective declension, rather than as a freely used modern form. In traditional descriptions, löngum is cited as an inflected ending used in certain grammatical environments where adjectives modify nouns and agree in case, number, and gender.

Etymology and background: The word is derived from Old Norse langr and ultimately from Proto-Germanic *langaz. Like other forms of langur, löngum traces its lineage through the Germanic language family and reflects how Icelandic has preserved a rich system of adjective inflection. The form appears in manuscripts and scholarly works as an example of how adjectives can take different endings depending on syntactic position.

Grammatical usage: Icelandic adjectives vary by gender, number, and case. Löngum is one of several inflected forms that may appear in older or more formal texts, particularly in contexts describing duration or extent where the case requires a specific ending. In contemporary Icelandic, more common constructions for expressing “long” or “for a long time” often use other forms or fixed phrases, yet löngum remains a standard reference point in grammar discussions and historical studies of the language.

See also: Icelandic language, Old Norse, Adjective declension in Icelandic, Proto-Germanic.