sveigjanlegum

Sveigjanlegur is an Icelandic adjective meaning flexible, adaptable, or bendable. The form sveigjanlegum is the dative plural form of the adjective, used when describing a plural noun in the dative case. In Icelandic, adjectives decline by gender, number and case, so sveigjanlegur changes to sveigjanlegum in this context.

Etymology and form: the word is formed from the verb sveigja, meaning to bend, combined with the suffix -legur, which denotes capability or suitability. Thus sveigjanlegur literally conveys the sense of being able to bend or adapt. The related noun is sveigjanleiki (flexibility), and other related forms include sveigjanlegt (neuter singular) and sveigjanlega (feminine accusative singular), with additional inflections for other cases and numbers.

Usage: sveigjanlegur and its inflected forms are used to describe objects, materials, systems, policies, or strategies that can be bent, adjusted, or adapted to varying circumstances. In technical writing, it is common to speak of sveigjanleg kerfi (flexible systems) or sveigjanlegar reglur (flexible rules). The term can also apply in a figurative sense to people or organizations that are willing or able to adapt to new conditions.

Examples: með sveigjanlegum reglum (with flexible rules); við notum sveigjanlegum kerfum (we use flexible systems). The choice of form depends on the noun it modifies and its case, number, and gender.

See also: flexibility, adaptability, elasticity, pliability.