neglen

Neglen is the definite singular form of the noun negl in Norwegian Bokmål and Danish, meaning the nail of a finger or toe, or more broadly a claw. In Swedish, a closely related definite form is nageln. The word is used for both human nails and the nails of animals, and it can appear in contexts ranging from anatomy and medicine to everyday language.

Etymology and cognates

Neglen derives from the older forms of the word negl in the Scandinavian languages, which themselves trace back to Proto-Germanic roots such as *naglaz. Cognates appear in several Germanic languages, including English nail, German Nagel, and Dutch nagel, all referring to the hard keratinous covering at the tip of fingers and toes or to similar claw-like structures.

Anatomy and function

A nail consists of a hard keratin plate produced by the nail matrix beneath the skin. The visible part, the nail plate, protects the fingertip, assists in fine motor tasks, and provides a counter surface for the fingertip. Growth occurs at the nail matrix and varies by age, health, and finger: fingernails typically grow several millimeters per month, with toenails growing more slowly.

Usage and variations

In Norwegian and Danish, neglen serves as the definite singular form; the indefinite singular is negl, the indefinite plural negler, and the definite plural neglerne. The term is used in medical, anatomical, and everyday language to describe nails on hands or feet as well as claws in animals.

See also

Nail (anatomy), Claw, Nail (hardware)