æðsti

Æðsti is an Icelandic adjective meaning the most high, greatest, or supreme. It functions as the superlative form of the adjective æðri (and in older Icelandic related forms) and is used to indicate the highest degree, rank, or importance of a person, institution, or thing. In modern Icelandic, æðsti commonly appears before a noun as part of a noun phrase, and it can modify both concrete and abstract nouns.

Etymology: The word is native to Icelandic and has cognates in Old Norse and other North Germanic languages. It belongs to a family of words associated with greatness, authority, and venerability and has been used in historical texts to denote supreme status, power, or seniority.

Usage and examples: In contemporary prose and formal language, æðsti is used to denote supreme status. Examples include æðsti guð (the supreme god), æðsti höfðingi (the paramount chieftain), or æðsta markmið (the ultimate goal). The term can carry solemn or ceremonial connotations and is common in mythological, religious, or political contexts, as well as in elevated literary style.

See also: Icelandic grammar; Superlative; Old Norse; North Germanic languages.