Nordic Lexicon

syn (OSw) noun

Derived from a verb meaning ‘to see’. In OSw, both an inspection and a group of inspectors. Inspections were performed by a varying number of men, typically nominated by the disputing parties in specific matters dealing with disputed property: land, grazing, fences, crops, boundaries, timber felling, fire, injured or killed game, fishing waters, mills etc. A syn could be accompanied by valuations or assessments, but the majority decision by the syn generally settled the matter. A syn could also be more permanent, mainly when the object was to inspect communal obligations such as fences and roads. In ODan ESjL, used in the context of finds that should be brought for inspection to avoid accusation of theft, a procedure that also entailed virthning (ODan) ‘valuation’ and to ljuse (ODan) ‘make public’ (see lysa) the find at church and at three thing (ODan) ‘assemblies’ (see þing). In JyL, used in the context of theft where the stolen property could not be brought to inspection, rendering it a vanesak (ODan) ‘case of suspicion’. The concept also appears in OIce and ONorw laws albeit without this word.

commission OSw DL Bb, Rb
inquest OSw KrL Bb
OSw MEL Bb
inspection OSw KrL Rb
OSw ÖgL Rb
OSw SdmL Jb, Bb, Mb, Till
OSw UL Blb, Add. 13
OSw VmL Bb
inspection board OSw ÖgL Bb
investigation OSw DL Bb
OSw UL Blb
OSw VmL Bb
investigators OSw DL Rb
OSw MEL Bb
jury OSw KrL Bb
OSw MEL Bb
OSw ÖgL Rb
panel of inspectors OSw UL Kkb, Blb
OSw VmL Bb
panel of investigators OSw UL Blb, Rb
OSw VmL Jb, Bb
Expressions:

syn ok sannind (OSw)

decision of an investigation panel OSw UL Blb, Rb

væþia undi sanna syn (OSw)

appeal for an investigation OSw DL Bb