kasutuse

Kasutuse is the genitive form of the Estonian noun kasutus, which denotes the act of using, use, or application. The term is widely used across fields such as linguistics, law, and technology to refer to how something is employed, implemented, or provisioned for use. In compound expressions, kasutuse often appears with different suffixes to specify relationship to use, for example kasutusõigus (right to use) and kasutusala (area of use).

Etymology and morphology: Kasutus is formed from the verb kasutama (to use) with the abstract noun suffix -us. The genitive case, kasutuse, marks possession or association with use, as in kasutuselevõtt (the introduction of use) or kasutusetingimus (condition of use). Plural forms include kasutused (uses) and kasutuste (genitive plural). The word is a productive part of Estonian vocabulary and appears in legal, technical, and everyday language.

Linguistic and practical usage: In linguistics, kasutus relates to usage-based approaches that emphasize real-life language use, frequency, and context as drivers of meaning and grammar. In dictionaries and style guides, usage notes describe preferred or contemporary uses and common collocations. In law and administration, kasutuse concepts define permissible use, ownership, licensing, and responsibilities, such as kasutusõigus (the right to use) and kasutusleping (use agreement).

Applications and examples: Common phrases include kasutusõigus, kasutusala, kasutusjuhend (instruction for use), and kasutuselevõtt (implementation of use). The term adapts to new domains as technologies and practices evolve, maintaining its core sense of how and for what purpose something is used.