heilahdettu

Heilahdettu is a Finnish past passive participle that describes something that has been swayed, rocked, or jolted. It is formed from the verb root heilahdell- (to swing or tilt) and the common past participle suffix -ettu/-etty, producing a form that can function as an adjective or as part of a finite passive construction with olla (on heilahdettu, oli heilahdettu, etc.).

Etymology and related forms: The base noun heilahdus denotes a sway or lurch, and heilahdella means to swing or move back and forth. The participle heilahdettu is used to indicate that the subject has undergone such motion, typically due to an external force such as wind, waves, or physical impact. Related forms include heilahdys (the act of swaying) and the verb heilahduttaa (to cause to swing).

Usage: As a participle, heilahdettu can function as an adjective modifying nouns or appear in predicate constructions with olla to form perfect or pluperfect states. It emphasizes a passive result of motion rather than intentional action. The term is common in descriptive prose, technical descriptions (for example in nautical, architectural, or meteorological contexts), and in reporting where a surface or object has been displaced or unsettled by an external factor.

Examples:

- Lattia on heilahdettu myrskyn vuoksi. (The floor has been swayed by the storm.)

- Patsas oli heilahdettu tuulessa. (The statue was rocked by the wind.)

Notes: Heilahdettu should not be confused with similar forms like heilutettu (waved, trembled), which can carry different nuances or agentive senses.