almænninger (OSw) almænning (ODan) almenning (ON) almenningr (ON) almænningia (OSw) noun

Refers to uncultivated land (wood, heath etc.) open to common use for all men, esp. for grazing cattle during the summer months. As the first element of compounds (almænnings-) it indicated that the word referred to facilities (bridges, roads etc.), areas or arrangements open to the general public and economic assets such as grazing, forests and fishing open to landowners of a particular area (i.e. village, district). In a more abstract sense (‘common to all men’) ON almenningr also had the meaning ‘mobilization’ (for the levy). OSw almænningsgæld meant general duty.

area where common rights exist OIce Grg Misc 239, 240
OIce Jó Llb 59, 66
common ODan SkL 211
ONorw GuL Tfb, Kvr
common area OIce Jó Llb 59
common land ODan SkL 71
OIce Grg Klþ 2
OIce Jó Llb 49, 59 Þjb 14
OIce Js Rkb 2
ONorw FrL LlbA 13 LlbB 7
ONorw MLL Lb 16, Llb, Kab 26
OSw ÄVgL Jb, Kva, Föb
OSw HL Mb, Blb
OSw KrL Bb Rb Add
OSw MEL Bb Rb
OSw MESt Bb
OSw ÖgL Jb Bb
OSw UL Mb, Blb
OSw VmL Mb, Bb
OSw YVgL Jb, Kvab, Föb, Utgb
common pasture ONorw FrL Intr 19
common wood ODan JyL 1
general levy OIce Grg Misc 248
ONorw MLL Lvb 1, 3
mobilization ONorw GuL Leb
waters where common rights exist OIce Jó Llb 70
Expressions:

hæræþs almænninger (OSw)

common land of the district OSw YVgL Föb

common land of the hæraþ OSw MEL Bb

konongx almænninger (OSw)

the king’s common land OSw MESt Add

lands almænninger (OSw)

common land of the province OSw MEL Bb YVgL Föb

Refs:

Helle 2001, 111–14; Hertzberg s.v. almenningr; Hoff 1997, 255–62; Holmbäck 1920; KLNM s.v.v. alminding, beite, bergsregale, envangsbrug, hvalfangst, häradsallmänning, jordejendom, landnåm II, regale; Porsmose 1988, 298–301; Rosén 1949, 36 f.; Schlyter s.v. almænninger