Paksust

Paksust is an Estonian grammatical form derived from the noun paksus, which means thickness. It is the partitive singular form and is used when thickness is treated as an indefinite or partially specified object in a sentence, or when referring to thickness as a measurable quantity. In everyday and technical language, paksust frequently appears in contexts such as material specifications, construction, and physical measurements.

Etymology and function: The base noun paksus belongs to the root paks- meaning “thick.” The suffix -us forms a neuter abstract noun in Estonian. The form paksust functions as the partitive case, which marks ongoing or partial quantity as a direct object, after certain verbs and in phrases describing measurements or characteristics, for example with the verb mõõta (to measure). As a grammatical form, paksust does not denote a separate concept by itself but functions within sentences to indicate the amount or degree of thickness.

Usage notes: Paksust is most commonly encountered in technical writing, engineering specifications, and descriptions of materials. It is typically used after a noun that specifies what is being measured, as in the plate example or when discussing the thickness of a material in a given context.

Examples: Plaadi paksust mõõdetakse mikromeetrites. Translation: The thickness of the plate is measured in micrometers. Puitpinna paksust hinnatakse standardiseeritud meetodil. Translation: The thickness of the wood surface is assessed by a standardized method.

See also: paksus, thickness (in other languages), Estonian grammar.

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