Meelitada

Meelitada is an Estonian verb meaning to entice, lure, attract, or persuade by appeal or charm. It covers drawing interest through appeal, persuasion, or bait, and can be used in contexts ranging from marketing and politics to personal relations. The action is often intended to influence someone to act in a desired way, such as buying a product, joining a group, or agreeing to a proposal. The sense can be neutral or carry ethical implications, depending on the context and method used.

Etymology and related forms: The verb is built on the stem meelit- derived from the noun meel, which signifies pleasure, interest, or desire. The infinitive ending -da marks its dictionary form. Related nouns include meelitaja (a lure or seducer) and the adjective form meelitav (enticing).

Usage and nuance: Meelitada is transitive and typically takes a target expressed as a direct object in the appropriate case (for example, kedagi meelitada = to entice someone; publikut meelitada = to attract the audience). It can describe legitimate efforts to attract customers or supporters, as well as manipulative or deceitful tactics when the aim is to exploit someone’s desires. The term may be used in political discourse, advertising, social interaction, and stories involving seduction or persuasion.

Conjugation basics: Infinitive meelitada; present tense meelitab (he/she lures); past tense meelitas (he enticed); perfect participle meelitand (having enticed); passive participle meelitatud (enticed, having been enticed).

Examples: Kaupmees püüdis kliente meelitada soodsa pakkumisega. Ta püüdis publikut meelitada oma uue kontserdiga.