kirjendama
Kirjendama is an Estonian verb meaning to inscribe or engrave text on a surface, usually in a durable way. The action involves carving or etching letters into materials such as stone, metal, wood, or ceramic, and it is commonly used when creating inscriptions on monuments, markers, or seals. In archaeology and epigraphy, the term describes the act of recording names, dates, dedications, or other inscriptions on artifacts or memorials.
The word is formed from kirja (letter, writing) combined with the -ndama suffix that marks action related
Usage notes: Kirjendama is used for inscriptions intended to endure over time, and in descriptions of artifacts