Allikas

Allikas is the Estonian word for "source" or "origin." It is a common noun used in everyday language and specialized contexts to denote where something begins or comes from. In geography and hydrology, an allikas refers to a natural water source such as a spring or an aquifer that feeds a river or stream. The characteristics of a water allikas—flow, temperature, mineral content—depend on the local geology and climate, and these sources are important for regional water supply, ecology, and landscape formation.

In information and documentation, allikas denotes the source of a claim, fact, or quotation. Citing the allikas is essential for verifiability, and in Estonian journalism and scholarship, readers expect clear indication of where information originates. The term can also be used metaphorically to denote the origin of ideas, traditions, or processes.

Allikas also appears in place names and as a general concept in Estonian culture, underscoring the idea of origins and provenance. Related terms include veeallikas (water source).