Tõestuses

Tõestuses is the inessive singular of the Estonian noun tõestus, which can mean “proof” or “testimony” depending on context. The form is used to express “in the testimony” or “in the proof” and commonly appears in legal texts to indicate content within a document or statement. The base forms include tõestus (nominative), tõestuse (genitive), tõestused (plural nominative), and tõestustes (inessive singular).

Meaning and scope: In legal language, tõestus often refers to a statement made under oath or a sworn testimony. In more general use, it can denote evidence or proof offered to support a claim. While closely related to tõend (evidence), tõestus emphasizes the declarative act or content of what is stated rather than mere material proof.

Usage: In court records, law texts, and formal writing, tõestus denotes what a witness or party declares under oath. The locative form tõestustes appears in phrases such as “tõestuses märgitakse” (it is noted in the testimony) or “tõestuses on kirjeldatud” (it is described in the testimony).

Origin and relation to other terms: The word is derived from the verb tõestama “to prove, to attest,” with the nominal suffix -us forming a noun meaning “the act of proving” or “proof/testimony.” Related terms include tõend (evidence), tunnistus (testimony/document), and tunnistaja (witness).

See also: tõend, tunnistus, tunnistaja.