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bessaleyfi. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
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Icelandic
Etymology
From bessi + leyfi. The etymology is not clear,[1] but "bessi" likely means bear (cf. the Icelandic bersi (“bear”))[1][2] so the literal meaning would be "to take the permission of a bear" as bears do not ask for permission.[1] Alternatively it may be derived from an unknown story about some man named Bessi.[1]
Noun
bessaleyfi n (genitive singular bessaleyfis, no plural)
- (idiomatic, in að taka sér bessaleyfi) to take the liberty of doing something, to do something without asking for permission
Einstaklingar á svæðinu hafa tekið sér það bessaleyfi að rukka fólk sem kemur til að skoða þessa einstöku náttúruperlu.- Individuals there have taken the liberty of charging people who come to view this unique natural site.
Tveir lögreglumenn tóku sér bessaleyfi til að laga te í eldhúsi hans.- Two police officers made themselves a cup of tea in his kitchen without permission.
Declension
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References