Võimsusi

Võimsusi is the partitive plural form of the Estonian noun võimsus, which denotes power, capacity, or ability. The word can be used to discuss physical power, such as the rate at which work is done, as well as broader meanings like a person’s capabilities or the capacity of machines or systems. In practice, võimsus is most common in technical and scientific contexts, while võime or oskus are often used for personal abilities in everyday speech.

Senses and usage:

In physics and engineering, võimsus refers to the rate of doing work and is measured in watts; when speaking of multiple devices or systems, the plural võimsused may be used. In everyday language, võimsus can also describe someone’s capabilities, though more common terms for personal abilities are võime or oskus. The plural form võimsusi appears in contexts that emphasize a range or set of powers or capacities, such as mitmeid võimsusi (several powers) or võimsuste arv (the number of powers). In literary or mythological contexts, võimsusi can describe magical or extraordinary powers.

Grammar note:

Võimsusi is the partitive plural form. It is used after quantifiers that require the partitive case (such as palju võimsusi or mitmeid võimsusi) and in constructions where the object is not definite. The related genitive plural form is võimsuste (e.g., võimsuste arv).

Etymology and related terms:

Võimsus is formed from võim (power, influence) with the abstract-noun suffix -sus. Related Estonian terms include võim (power, authority), jõud (strength, force), and oskus or võime (ability, skill).

See also: võim, jõud, oskus, võime, power.