spegelblank

Spegelblank is a compound adjective in Swedish and related Scandinavian languages, formed from spegel (mirror) and blank (shiny, bright). It describes a surface that is exceptionally smooth and reflective, producing clear mirror-like reflections. The term is most commonly applied to bodies of water—lakes, fjords or seas—when wind and waves are absent and the water surface appears glassy.

In grammatical use, spegelblank agrees with the noun it modifies; for example, spegelblankt is the neuter form and spegelblanka the plural form in Swedish. Translations into English include "mirror-smooth," "glassy," or "mirror-like." The word is frequently used in weather reports, literary descriptions, photography captions, and everyday speech to convey calmness, stillness, or a highly polished finish on materials such as metal or lacquered wood.

Etymologically, both elements are of Germanic origin and reflect a straightforward descriptive tradition in Scandinavian compound words. Beyond literal application, spegelblank is also employed metaphorically to evoke emotional or atmospheric calm—e.g., referring to a silent, undisturbed scene. Antonyms include terms denoting turbulence or roughness, used when surface motion or texture prevents clear reflection.