Tuletus

Tuletus is a term used in Estonian to denote the act or result of deriving something from a source. It is a polysemantic term found in several academic domains, where it refers to a form of derivation, a calculated rate of change, or a logical conclusion, depending on context.

In linguistics, tuletus refers to word formation by deriving a new word from an existing base. This process, derivation, typically involves affixation, compounding, or other morphological changes that alter meaning or grammatical category. The derived word is commonly called a tuletis. Derivation contrasts with inflection, which changes a word’s form to reflect grammar without creating a new word.

In mathematics, tuletus describes the operation of differentiation. The derivative measures how a function changes as its input changes and is a fundamental concept in calculus, used to describe rates, slopes, and motion. The resulting quantity is often called the tuletis or derivative of the function.

In logic and formal reasoning, tuletus can denote the derivation of a conclusion from premises. This usage emphasizes the process of proving or inferring statements through a sequence of justified steps.

Etymologically, tuletus stems from the Estonian verb tuletama, meaning to derive or originate. The term is established in academic and technical language and appears in dictionaries, grammars, and scientific texts.