ädelmod

ädelmod is a Swedish noun meaning nobility of spirit or nobility of character. It denotes moral greatness, integrity, and generous, courageous conduct under pressure, rather than noble birth. In English, it is commonly translated as “nobility of character” or “noble-mindedness.”

Etymology and sense

The word is formed from ädel, meaning noble, and mod, meaning spirit, mind, or courage. The compound emphasizes inner virtue and ethical quality rather than social status, aligning it with moral evaluation of a person.

Usage and context

ädelmod is primarily literary or historical in modern Swedish. It is less common in everyday speech and tends to appear in discussions of ethics, virtue, poetry, or historical narratives. It is used to praise someone who acts with courage, honesty, and generosity in difficult circumstances, especially when those traits are tested by hardship.

Relation to adel

Adel refers to the noble estate or hereditary nobility. Ädelmod, by contrast, describes a noble character irrespective of birth or class. The term thus marks moral quality rather than social standing.

Translations and related concepts

In translation, ädelmod is rendered as “nobility of character” or “noble-mindedness.” Related discussions commonly involve virtue, ethics, and moral psychology, rather than genealogy or aristocratic privilege.

See also

Nobility; Virtue; Ethics; Swedish lexicography.