eristuvamaid
Eristuvamaid is an Estonian linguistic term used to refer to the most distinctive features of a group, object, or dataset. It is formed from eristuv, meaning "distinguishing" or "distinctive," together with the pluralizing suffix -amaid to mark the form typically used in noun phrases to reference the subset that exhibits the highest degree of a given property. In practice, eristuvamaid functions as a modifier in noun phrases rather than a standalone noun; the head noun determines the case and number of the phrase.
Usage and contexts: The term is common in descriptive linguistics, ethnography, and typology when researchers list
Notes: Eristuvamaid is not widely listed as a separate dictionary entry; it is a productive formation for
See also: Estonian grammar, adjectives, comparative and superlative forms.