Tilkude

Tilkude is an Estonian noun formed as the genitive plural of tilk, which means a small drop of liquid. In ordinary language, tilkude refers to multiple droplets and is used when describing a group of drops without specifying an exact count.

In scientific and meteorological contexts, tilkude describe droplets produced by processes such as condensation, atomization, spray, or precipitation. They are studied for properties including size distribution, concentration, evaporation rates, and interactions with surfaces. In biology and medicine, tilkude can refer to aerosol droplets relevant to inhalation exposure and drug delivery, where size influences deposition in the respiratory tract.

Size and behavior: atmospheric tilkude typically range from a few micrometers up to hundreds of micrometers in diameter. Their dynamics are governed by surface tension, viscosity, air flow, and gravity, with smaller droplets tending to stay suspended longer and evaporate more quickly, while larger ones may coalesce or settle more rapidly.

Usage and terminology: tilkude appears in meteorology, environmental science, and everyday speech about moisture. The term is commonly contrasted with larger droplets or with individual droplets in a discussion of distribution, transport, or evaporation. Etymology notes: tilk means a drop, and the suffix -ude marks the plural/genitive form used when referring to a quantity of droplets.