nöþsyn (OSw) nauþsyn (OGu) nauðsyn (ON) noun

Legitimate excuse given to avoid legal action, with varying emphasis on it being caused by necessity due to obligations or to misfortune. Mainly of failure to perform a duty, such as to appear at a þing 'assembly'. Certain excuses were stipulated in the laws, such as illness or injury, while others were assessed by prudent men (such as the lögmaðr (see laghmaþer) and the Law Council in Jó Þfb 2). In OSw SdmL, presumably a pun interpreting syn (q.v.) as the homograph meaning ‘inspection’ etc.

accident OSw HL Kmb
circumstance OIce Jó Kab 22
compelling reason ONorw EidsL 32.9 48.10
ONorw FrL KrbB 19
ONorw GuL Krb
difficulties OSw HL Kgb
distress OIce Jó Fml 18
emergency OGu GL A 6
ONorw BorgL 2
excuse OIce Jó Fml 4
genuine difficulty OFar Seyð 10
great need ONorw FrL KrbA 14
lawful extenuating circumstance ONorw EidsL 32.9
lawful hindrance ONorw FrL KrbB 12
legitimate necessity OIce Jó Þfb 8
legitimate reason OIce Js Þfb 6 Mah 18
necessity OIce Grg Þsþ 23, 34
OIce Jó Þfb 2 Sg 2 Mah 14, 17 Kge 12, 20 Lbb 1, 4 Llb 20, 59 Þjb 12, 13 Fml 4, 13
OIce Js Mah 30, 31 Lbb 1
OIce KRA 1, 11
ONorw BorgL 5.14
ONorw EidsL 32.8
ONorw FrL Var 46 Leb 8
ONorw GuL Krb, Kpb
ONorw MLL Þfb, Kdb 6 Lvb, Mah, Ert 18 Lb 4, 8 Llb, Kab 20
necessity inspection OSw SdmL Bb
need ONorw EidsL 47.7
reason ONorw FrL Var 46
time of need ONorw BorgL 12.11
urgent need OIce Jó Mah 13
valid excuse ONorw GuL Krb, Arb, Mhb Refs:

Fritzner s.v. nauðsyn; Hertzberg s.v. nauðsyn; SAOB s.v. nödsyn; Schlyter s.v. nöþsyn