Litistäminen

Litistäminen is a Finnish verb that translates to flattening, squashing, or crushing in English. It describes the action of making something flat or reducing its volume by applying force. This can apply to a variety of objects and situations, from physically pressing an object to make it thinner, to a more abstract sense of something being overwhelmed or subdued.

In a literal sense, litistäminen might refer to flattening a piece of dough to make bread, squashing a can to reduce its size for disposal, or crushing a soft object underfoot. The act implies a significant reduction in the object's height or thickness. It can also be used in the context of forces acting upon something, such as an object being flattened by a heavy weight or pressure.

Figuratively, litistäminen can describe the act of defeating or subduing someone or something. For example, one might say a team was "litistetty" (flattened) if they suffered a decisive defeat. It can also refer to the suppression of an idea or movement, where dissenting voices or efforts are effectively crushed or rendered insignificant. In essence, litistäminen conveys a sense of forceful reduction, whether physical or metaphorical.