ledamot

Swedish

Etymology

Inherited from Old Swedish lidhamot, compare older Danish ledemod and Old Norse liðamót (“joints”). Compound of led (“limb”) +‎ -a- +‎ mot (“meeting point”).

In limb sense; according to SAOB attested since 1526. In member sense; according to SAOB attested since 1547.

Pronunciation

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Noun

ledamot c

1. (obsolete) body part; limb
   • 1837, Anders Gustaf Dahlbom, “Inledning”, in Kort underrättelse om skandinaviska insekters allmännare skada och nytta i hushållningen. En handbok för landtbrukare och naturforskare.‎^[1], pages i–ii:

     RYGGRADSDJUREN eller (som de ock kallas) Bendjuren (Animalia vertebrata) ha […] alla kroppsdelarne motsvariga eller symmetriska; aldrig flere än 4 ledamöter eller s. k. extremiteter; alltid rödt blod ock skilda kön m.m.

     THE SPINE ANIMALS or (as they are also called) The Vertebrates (Animalia vertebrata) have […] all body parts corresponding or symmetrical; never more than 4 limbs or so-called extremities; always red blood and different sexes etc.

2. a member (of a board or committee)

Declension

Declension of ledamot

		nominative	genitive
singular	indefinite	ledamot	ledamots
	definite	ledamoten	ledamotens
plural	indefinite	ledamöter	ledamöters
	definite	ledamöterna	ledamöternas

Derived terms

(limb):

• fortkomstledamot (“leg or foot”, literally “transportation limb”)

(member):

• konstitutionsutskottsledamot (“constitution committee member”)
• riksdagsledamot (“member of the parliament”)
• styrelseledamot (“board member”)

References

• ledamot in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)

Further reading

• ledamot in Svensk ordbok.