LANDSTHING Meaning and
Definition
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Landsthing refers to a legislative body or council found in certain Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark and Norway. The term is derived from the Danish and Norwegian words "land," which means "country" or "territory," and "sthing," which signifies "assembly" or "council."
In Denmark, the Landsthing was historically one of the two chambers of the national parliament, alongside the Folketing (people's assembly). It consisted of members who were elected by different regions, known as landsdele. The Landsthing had limited powers and its primary function was to scrutinize legislation passed by the Folketing, offer amendments, and act as a forum for regional interests. However, its powers were diminished over the years, and in 1953, it was formally abolished, leaving the Folketing as the sole legislative body in Denmark.
Similarly, Norway had a Landsthing as part of its parliamentary system during the early 1800s. It served as an upper chamber, complementing the lower house known as the Storting. The Landsthing was composed of appointed members who represented various social classes, such as the aristocracy and civil servants. However, like in Denmark, the Landsthing was eventually abolished, with the Storting becoming a unicameral parliament.
In modern usage, the term Landsthing is sometimes used to refer generally to the upper chambers or unelected bodies within legislative systems, although its specific historical connotations remain attached to the Danish and Norwegian variations.
Common Misspellings for LANDSTHING
- kandsthing
- pandsthing
- oandsthing
- lzndsthing
- lsndsthing
- lwndsthing
- lqndsthing
- labdsthing
- lamdsthing
- lajdsthing
- lahdsthing
- lanssthing
- lanxsthing
- lancsthing
- lanfsthing
- lanrsthing
- lanesthing
- landathing
- landzthing
- landxthing
Etymology of LANDSTHING
The word "Landsthing" is of Danish origin and consists of two components: "land" and "sthing".
The term "land" comes from the Old Norse word "land", which means "land" or "country". It has been used in various Germanic languages and has a similar meaning. In this context, it refers to the territory or region in which the legislative body operates.
The second part, "sthing", comes from the Old Norse word "thing", which means "assembly" or "meeting". In early Scandinavian societies, a "thing" was an assembly or gathering of free men who came together to make decisions, discuss matters of importance, and resolve disputes. These assemblies were often held under open-air law rock formations or on hilltops, and they were essential for the functioning of the community.
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