Hidastus

Hidastus is a Finnish noun that denotes the act or result of slowing down or delaying something; retardation or hindrance. It is derived from the verb hidastaa, meaning to slow down. The term is used in both everyday language and technical contexts to describe a reduction in speed or progress.

In physics, hidastus refers to the deceleration of a moving body, typically caused by forces such as friction, drag, or braking. In everyday language, it describes any slowdown of movement, growth, or progress, such as a project that experiences delays or a machine that operates more slowly than expected. In traffic and vehicle dynamics, hidastus can refer to braking or deliberate speed reduction, whether for safety or control.

In technology and systems thinking, hidastus can denote a delay or lag in a process or response, aligning conceptually with notions of latency or timing constraints, though it is used more broadly than the technical term viive. The word is neutral and widely applicable across disciplines to indicate that a process or action has been slowed or delayed. Related terms include hidastaminen (the act of slowing down), hidaste (obstacle or hindrance), and viive (delay or latency).