Käendus

Käendus is an Estonian noun that denotes the act of supporting or carrying with the hands, and, by extension, the act of providing backing or endorsement. The word is formed from käsi, meaning hand, with the suffix -endus, which marks a noun indicating an action or result.

In everyday language käendus can describe physical assistance, such as helping someone to stand or move, or carrying a child or object by hand. The term can also be used more broadly to refer to guidance or support given to someone in a difficult task or transition, emphasizing the assisting or lifting aspect of the action.

In more abstract or formal contexts, käendus may refer to backing a person, proposal, or project, i.e., giving endorsement or sponsorship. In legal or financial language, the term can appear in relation to guarantees or endorsements provided by a guarantor, though the exact meaning depends on the specific document and jurisdiction. This sense highlights the idea of support that legitimizes or facilitates an action or arrangement.

The use of käendus tends to be relatively formal or literary rather than everyday colloquial speech, and its interpretation depends on context. Related terms include käsi (hand) and toetus (support), which share a thematic connection to the act of supporting or holding up.