viðveru

Viðveru is an Icelandic noun meaning presence, attendance, or a stay in a place. It denotes the state of being physically present or the act of remaining at a location for a period. The term can refer to both the simple fact of being there and the duration of that presence.

In everyday language, viðveru is used when talking about someone's attendance at an event or location, such as a meeting or other gathering. In more formal or literary contexts, the word can broaden to the concept of existence or actuality, sometimes in discussion of presence as a phenomenon rather than just a momentary act of being there.

Etymology and grammar: the noun is formed from the verb vera, “to be,” with the prefix við-, and it is treated as a feminine noun in Icelandic. The base form is viðvera, with various inflected forms depending on case and number; for example, viðveru appears in genitive or accusative singular in many contexts. As a concept, it sits within Icelandic vocabulary related to being, presence, and time spent at a location.