kihtist

Kihtist is a term used in Estonian to describe something that is layered or stratified. It derives from kiht, meaning layer or stratum, with the suffix -ist that forms adjectives or agent nouns indicating a relation or characteristic. As a result, kihtist can function as an adjective meaning layered or possessing layers, and it can appear in specialized phrases in technical contexts.

In geology and sedimentology, kihtist materials or kihtist rocks refer to rocks that show clear layering or bedding planes. In materials science and engineering, kihtist coatings or kihtist assemblies describe structures built in discrete layers, often to achieve properties such as improved strength, insulation, or optical behavior. In architecture and design, kihtist aesthetics may denote visual or tactile effects produced by layering.

The term is relatively uncommon in everyday Estonian and is most likely to be found in technical dictionaries, scholarly articles, and translations where the concept of layered structure is central. It is sometimes contrasted with synonyms such as kihiline or kihteline, though kihtist emphasizes the aspect of having or forming layers rather than merely containing them.

See also: kiht, kihiline, kihtiline, stratification, layered manufacturing.

References: Estonian technical dictionaries and language corpora that document specialized vocabulary related to layering and stratification.