eingetinn

Icelandic

Etymology

From einn (“one”) +‎ getinn (“begotten, conceived”), past participle of geta (“to conceive”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈein.cɛːtɪn/

Adjective

eingetinn (not comparable)

1. (now chiefly used in religious context) only-begotten (being the only child of one’s parent)
2. conceived in the womb without the physical input of a father; parthenogenic

Usage notes

The first sense is used in the Bible, creeds and other religious discourse, most often in reference to Jesus Christ. In this context, it is a translation of Ancient Greek μονογενής (monogenḗs) and Latin ūnigenitus. The second sense, “parthenogenic”, is based on a misunderstanding of the word in reference to Jesus, taking it to refer to his virgin birth rather than his unique filial relationship to God the Father, in essence understanding the einn (“one”) in eingetinn to refer to the parent rather than the child.