óstöðugra

Óstöðugra is a term used in Icelandic-language discussion to denote the comparative form of the adjective óstöðugur, meaning unstable or not steady. In standard Icelandic, adjectives typically form comparatives with the ending -ri for the nominative singular masculine and feminine (óstöðugri). The form óstöðugra is less common in contemporary usage and is often considered dialectal or restricted to specific inflected contexts, such as genitive or other oblique cases when the adjective modifies plural nouns or appears in older or regional varieties of the language. Because Icelandic morphology involves multiple case endings, the exact spelling and function of the comparative can vary by dialect and grammatical situation. In most modern, formal Icelandic, óstöðugri is the prevailing comparative form, while óstöðugra may appear in certain texts or regional speech and should be checked against a reputable grammar for accuracy in a given context. Etymologically, the form reflects the common Icelandic pattern of prefixing ó- to a base adjective meaning not stable, with subsequent suffixes used to mark grammatical relations. Overall, óstöðugra is a relatively rare or specialized variant of the standard comparative and is not widely documented in everyday Icelandic usage.