Iseseisv

Iseseisv is an Estonian adjective meaning independent or autonomous. It is used to describe entities that operate without external control or influence, such as states, organizations, communities, or individuals. The term appears in political, legal, economic, and social contexts to express self-governance or self-sufficiency.

Etymology and form: Iseseisv is formed from ise, meaning “self,” and seisv, the present participle of seisma, meaning “to stand.” The suffix -v marks it as an adjective. The sense conveyed is essentially “standing on one’s own” or “self-standing,” and the word declines according to standard Estonian adjective patterns.

Usage: The adjective can modify various nouns in different cases, for example iseseisv riik (an independent state), iseseisev ettevõte (an autonomous/independent company), or iseseisev isik (an independent person). In political discourse, iseseisv is often linked with movements for sovereignty or self-determination, while in economic or organizational contexts it can emphasize autonomy from external control or centralized oversight.

Relation to related terms: Iseseisv is closely related to iseseisvus (independence), which nouns the concept, as well as to related ideas such as sõltumatus (autonomy or independence) and autonoomia (autonomy).

See also: iseseisvus, sõltumatus, autonoomia.