réttar

Réttar is a term in the Icelandic language associated with law, justice, and rights. It is most commonly encountered as part of compounds or as the genitive singular form of rettur, a noun that can mean court, law, or justice. In legal and bureaucratic usage, réttar- forms appear in many phrases that relate to the judiciary and legal status.

Etymology and meaning: Réttar derives from rettur, with roots in Old Norse and the broader Germanic family. It is related to cognate words in Scandinavian languages such as Danish ret, Norwegian rett, and Swedish rätt, all of which express concepts of law, right, or justice. In Icelandic, réttar is often a productive stem for terms describing aspects of the legal system or legal rights.

Usage and examples: In Icelandic legal vocabulary, you may encounter terms such as réttarhöld (court proceedings or trial), réttarfar (the judiciary or the system of courts), and réttarstaða (legal status). The base meaning of rettur underpins these words, linking them to the notions of law, entitlements, and judicial process. Beyond formal language, the same root appears in references to rights and obligations defined by law.

Context and overview: Réttar conveys the legal dimension of a word and functions as a linguistic marker in formal discourse. Its use reflects Icelandic legal terminology and the broader Germanic-speaking legal tradition. While the exact form réttar may appear primarily in compound terms or as a genitive form of rettur, its presence signals topics related to law, justice, and rights within Icelandic text.

See also: rettur, réttarhöld, réttarfar, réttarstaða, lög.