meginatriði

Meginatriði is an Icelandic noun meaning the main points, principal elements, or core provisions of a document, argument, or discussion. It denotes what is essential as opposed to detail. The term is commonly used in legal, administrative, academic, and journalistic contexts to summarize or designate the key elements of a text.

Etymology: The compound consists of megin- meaning "main" or "principal" and atriði meaning "items" or "points." The word reflects a focus on the essential parts of a wider text.

Usage: In law and legislation, meginatriði refers to the core provisions or principles of a law or regulation; in contracts, the meginatriði are the essential terms such as parties, scope, price, and duration; in debates or policy documents, it denotes the central arguments or objectives; in journalism, it can introduce a brief summary of the main points.

Examples: A government bill might begin with a section outlining the meginatriði, the key changes it proposes. In a meeting, the chair might list the meginatriði to be decided. In academic writing, a summary may present the meginatriði of the study’s findings and conclusions.

Notes: The term is common in Icelandic but rarely used in English; translations include "main provisions," "key points," or "principal elements." It is often employed to direct attention to the essential components of a text rather than its details.