Aikakaus

Aikakaus is a Finnish publishing term used to describe periodical publications—serials such as magazines, journals, and other works that are issued regularly. It denotes a publication category rather than a single title and is typically applied in publishing and library contexts to distinguish serials from monographs or single-volume books.

Etymologically, aikakaus combines aika, meaning time, with kaus, meaning season or term. This reflects the frequent publication schedule and the ongoing nature of periodicals. In everyday language, the term appears mainly in compound forms, with aikakauslehti meaning a magazine or periodical, and is less commonly used as a standalone label outside specialized bibliographic or industry settings.

Characteristics of aikakaus include regular publication intervals (monthly, quarterly, weekly, etc.), and the assignment of volume and issue numbers. They cover a wide range of topics, from general interest to scholarly research, and are typically issued repeatedly over time rather than as single, finite works. In bibliographic records, aikakaus is treated as a serial or periodical, with metadata emphasizing publication frequency, date ranges, and ongoing availability.

In the digital era, many aikakaus extend to online formats, with issues accessible via publisher websites, academic databases, or digital libraries. The core concept remains important for cataloging, archiving, and retrieval, helping users distinguish periodically issued materials from standalone books or reports.

Related terms include aikakauslehti (magazine/periodical), periodical, serial publication, and library cataloging concepts used to classify ongoing publications.