Kihilises

Kihilises is a term encountered in Estonian-language texts that denotes layering or stratification in a structure, process, or analysis. The word stems from kiht, meaning layer, and is used primarily in specialized scientific or analytical writing rather than everyday language. The precise sense of kihilises can vary by discipline, but it generally conveys a multi-layered, stepped, or sequential arrangement.

In geology and sedimentology, kihilises is used to describe rocks or sedimentary sequences that exhibit clear bedding or repeated layering. In ecology, it may refer to landscapes or habitats organized into distinct layers, such as canopy, understory, and ground vegetation. In social sciences or urban planning, the term can be used metaphorically to characterize systems that operate in layered, interdependent levels, such as governance, markets, or infrastructure.

Because kihilises is a specialized term with limited attestation, it is not widely found in standard dictionaries. When it appears, the surrounding context is important for determining whether the reference is to physical layering, conceptual stratification, or a combination of both. The term is more likely to be encountered in academic articles, field reports, or theoretical discussions rather than in general prose.

See also: Stratification, Layering, Bedding plane, Multilayer analysis.

References: To be added or consulted from Estonian-language scientific sources and dictionaries for attestation and precise usage.