Määratleme

Määratleme is an Estonian verb meaning to define or specify the meaning of a term, concept, or statement. It is a transitive verb used in formal and analytical writing to assign boundaries, properties, or criteria that clarify what is being discussed and reduce ambiguity.

In mathematics, logic, linguistics, lexicography and computer science, definitions provide precision by describing essential properties, scope and examples. To define is to articulate these elements clearly, often by stating an equivalence, a condition, or a descriptive rule. The infinitive is määratlema, and the present tense form for first-person plural is määratleme, meaning “we define.”

Usage guidelines: avoid over-defining; keep definitions concise and testable. In dictionaries and glossaries, definitions often follow a pattern of genus and difference, or essential properties. In programming or data modelling, definitions may specify constraints, data types, or expected behavior.

Conjugation: besides määratleme, other common finite forms include määratlen (I define), määratled (you define), määratleb (he/she defines), määratlete (you define, plural), and määratlevad (they define). The verb is transitive and typically takes a direct object such as a term or concept.

Etymology: the verb relates to määr- meaning to set or bound and to the noun määratlus (definition).

See also: määratlus, mõiste, definitsioon.