oppnevne

Oppnevne is a Norwegian verb meaning to appoint or designate someone to a position, task, or function by an authority. The act is formal and typically involves assigning duties to a person, such as a member of a board, a committee, a commission, or a court-appointed role, rather than a decision by election.

In usage, oppnevne is often contrasted with utnevne. Utnevne is usually reserved for high-level or official state appointments, sometimes by the monarch or government, whereas oppnevne covers a broader range of appointments to bodies like committees, boards, or for expert witnesses. The related nouns are oppnevning (the act of appointing) and oppnevnt/oppnevnte (appointed).

Usage notes: oppnevne is transitive and takes a person and a role or body. Common constructions include oppnevne noen til styremedlem, oppnevne en komité, or oppnevnt som medlem. The passive form is oppnevnt av/eller til, as in a person appointed by the court or by the governing body. Examples: Domstolen oppnevnte en sakkyndig vitne. Regjeringen oppnevnte nye medlemmer til utvalget. Hun ble oppnevnt som styremedlem.

Etymology: oppnevne derives from opp- (a prefix) and nevne (to name or mention), indicating the act of naming someone to a position. The term is widely used in legal, administrative, and organizational contexts to denote formal designation.