jõulisel

Jõulisel is a term encountered in Estonian-language contexts that does not function as a widely used dictionary headword. In linguistic discussion it is sometimes described as an inflected form related to the word or concept of Christmas, though it is not common in everyday speech or standard reference works.

Etymology and possible meaning: The root associated with Christmas appears in many Estonian compounds such as jõulupuu (Christmas tree) and jõuluvana (Santa Claus). The suffix -sel is a productive ending in Estonian that can appear in various derived forms, and in some analyses jõulisel is treated as an adessive or temporally oriented form meaning “on Christmas” or “at Christmas time” when used in phrases like jõulisel ajal.

Usage: The form jõulisel is rare and largely confined to formal writing, literary texts, or linguistic commentary. It is not a common everyday expression in contemporary Estonian. When it does appear, it tends to be in contexts that discuss grammar, language use, or stylized narration rather than in routine conversation.

Example: Jõulisel ajal valitseb linnas rahulik ja helge õhkkond. This sentence illustrates how the phrase could be used to convey “During Christmas time, a calm and bright atmosphere prevails in the town,” though such usage would be atypical outside specific stylistic contexts.

See also: jõulud, jõuluvana, jõulupuu. Notes: Because this form is not standardly listed in common dictionaries, it should be treated as a potential grammatical variant rather than a widely accepted word. For precise usage, consult contemporary Estonian corpora or language grammars.