Note 157 — SECTION IV. POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY OF ICELAND.
Reading edition
The Sýsla (pl. Sýslur, and in compounds Sýslu) is derived from Sýsl, “business”—að sýsla, “to be busy.” As a law term, it signifies any stewardship held from the king or bishop; in a geographical sense, it means a district, bailiwick, or prefecture. At present it answers to the Thing of the Icelandic Commonwealth (Cleasby).