tett

Tett is a term found in Norwegian and other Nordic languages that generally conveys the sense of being dense, tight, or closely packed. In Norwegian, tett functions as an adjective and as a productive element in compounds describing populated or built-up areas.

One of the best-known uses in modern geography is the term tettsted. A tettsted is a densely built-up area used for statistical purposes by Statistics Norway, typically defined as having at least 200 inhabitants and where the distance between buildings is less than 50 meters. The term is used to distinguish urban from rural areas for census and regional planning, irrespective of municipal boundaries. Settlements can be reclassified as populations grow or shift.

Beyond geography, tett appears as a surname in Northern Europe, and is found in historical records and contemporary names. Cognates in related languages include Danish tæt and Swedish tät or tätt, reflecting a shared Proto-Germanic heritage meaning "dense" or "close."

In summary, tett serves as a linguistic root for density-related concepts in Nordic languages and as a surname, with tettsted as its most formal geographic usage in Norway.