útdráttur

Útdráttur is an Icelandic term that denotes an extract or excerpt taken from a longer text. In general usage it refers to a selected passage used for quotation, illustration, or reference, and can also describe the act of drawing out information from a source. The concept is closely related to terms such as excerpt or abstract in English.

Etymology and spelling

The word is built from út- meaning “out” and dráttur meaning “drawing” or “pulling.” In Icelandic orthography the more common form for the physical extract is útdráttur, but útdráttur appears in some texts and dialectal or historical spellings. Both forms are encountered in Icelandic literature, with context often guiding which variant is used.

Uses and contexts

In literary and academic contexts, útdráttur (or útdráttur) refers to a short passage selected from a larger work for quotation, study, or emphasis. It may function as a pull-quote or as a representative sample of an author’s style or argument. In bibliographic or archival practice, the term can denote an official extract from a document or record, provided for reference or verification. In information handling and data processing, the idea of data extraction can also be described using the same root, though more technical terms are common in those fields.

See also

Excerpt, Abstract, Pull-quote, Data extraction.