Hoidvat

Hoidvat is a term used in Estonian linguistics to refer to a particular participial form derived from the verb hoidma, meaning to hold or keep. In grammatical descriptions, hoidvat is described as a present participle form that can be used to indicate ongoing holding or retention in a clause. The form may appear in attributive position to describe a noun or in predicative structures within a sentence.

Etymology: The form is built from hoidma with a suffix commonly cited as -vat, aligning with participial patterns found in Estonian.

Usage and syntax: The hoidvat form, like other participles, contributes to aspect and modality in a sentence by signaling ongoing action related to holding or keeping. Its exact function and availability can vary by dialect and historical stage of the language, and some grammars treat it as a formal or specialized construction used in particular contexts.

See also: hoidma, Estonian grammar, participles, Estonian language.