etulevy

Etulevy is an Estonian compound noun formed from etu- meaning “front” and levy meaning “plate” or “layer.” In practice the term is used to refer to a front-facing part of an object, and its precise meaning can vary by field. It is not a widely standardized term in international sources and appears mainly in Estonian-language contexts.

In electronics and hardware design, etulevy typically denotes the front panel or bezel of a device—the visible surface that contains controls, displays, and user interfaces. Designers and engineers may use etulevy to distinguish this external face from the internal chassis, circuitry, or mounting hardware.

In publishing and graphic design, etulevy can describe the front cover or the initial visual layer of a product, such as a book, an album, or software packaging. It may also be used to refer to front-facing artwork and typography that customers see first, as opposed to back cover or inner pages.

Etymologically, the word reflects a literal meaning of a front plate, and its use tends to be practical and descriptive rather than theoretical. Because it is not a standard term across disciplines, translators and readers may encounter alternative expressions in other languages, such as “front panel” or “front cover,” depending on context.

Overall, etulevy functions as a descriptive label for the exterior, visible portion of an object, with domain-specific nuances that are best understood from the surrounding technical or design documentation in Estonian.