Odsek

Odsek is a noun used in Czech and Slovak to denote a subdivision of a larger organization, system, or document. It signifies a distinct unit within a body, such as a department or division, or a related portion of a text or plan, depending on context. The word is common in bureaucratic, administrative, and archival language.

Etymology: The term derives from the prefix od- meaning away or apart and from sek, related to sekce or to "cut," reflecting the sense of a segment separated from the whole.

Usage: In contemporary use, odsek appears mainly in official or institutional discourse—ministries, universities, companies, and government agencies may describe a unit as an odsek. It can also refer to a defined part of a document or project plan. The term is generally preferred in contexts where the focus is on organizational structure rather than on textual segmentation. It is distinct from odstavec (paragraph) and sekce (section) in typical usage.

Examples: An odsek of a ministry might handle a specific policy area; an archival record might be organized into several odseky corresponding to different functions. The precise scope of an odsek can vary by institution or language variant.

See also: odstavec, sekce, organizační jednotka.