Abstract
This paper discusses the origin and history of the Icelandic phrase að ósekju (OIcel. ‘with impunity’, ModIcel. ‘without guilt, without cause’). Most handbooks have interpreted the form ósekju in this prepositional phrase as the dative singular of the noun ósekja f. ‘innocence’. Following a discussion of the evidence for the nouns ósekja and sekja and phrases with the preposition að, it is argued that it would be more appropriate to consider ósekju an Old Icelandic dative singular neuter of the adjective ósekr ‘not convicted, not guilty’. A comparable example, the ambiguous phrase með heilbrigðu, is just as likely to contain dat.sg.n. heilbrigðu of the adjective heilbrigðr(‘with (everything) safe and sound’) as the dative of a feminine substantive.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
