Selgitus

Selgitus is a noun in Estonian meaning explanation, clarification, or justification. It denotes a statement that clarifies or elaborates on a topic, often accompanying a claim, rule, or piece of information. In education and publishing, a selgitus is used to provide background, justification, or detailed analysis beyond a brief statement. It can refer to a note attached to a text, a section of a textbook, a dictionary entry’s clarification, or a formal justification in official documents.

Etymology: The word is derived from the verb selgitama, “to explain,” with the abstract noun suffix -us. Related forms include selgitav, meaning explanatory. In Finnic languages there are cognates such as Finnish selitys, which also means explanation.

Usage: In Estonian, selgitus is common in academic writing, legal or accounting contexts, and journalism when a writer adds rationale or background information. In dictionaries and encyclopedias, a selgitus may accompany an entry to clarify terms or concepts. It can also denote a note explaining a data point, for example in financial statements or statistical reports.

Examples: Estonian: “Käesolev selgitus selgitab valemile antud piiranguid.” Translation: “This explanation clarifies the limitations given to the formula.” Another example: “Dokumendi lõpus on selgitus, mis sisaldab lisainfot.” Translation: “There is an explanation at the end of the document.”

See also: Explanation, Note, Commentary, Selgitav.