kuppimaiset

Kuppimaiset is a Finnish adjective meaning cup-shaped or cuplike. It describes objects or forms that resemble a cup, such as hollow or concave structures and rims that flare outward. The word agrees with the noun in number and case; for example, kuppimainen (singular) and kuppimaiset (plural).

Etymology and grammar: Kuppimaiset is formed from the noun kuppi (cup) with the adjectival suffix -mainen, yielding kuppimainen meaning “cup-like.” The plural nominative form is kuppimaiset, and the adjective follows standard Finnish inflection patterns to produce forms such as kuppimaisten (genitive plural) and kuppimaisia (partitive plural). The base form is kuppimainen.

Usage: The term is common in descriptive writing across sciences and humanities, especially when detailing morphological features. It can describe flowers, surfaces, cavities, or other structures that resemble a cup. Examples include kuppimaiset kukinnot (cup-shaped inflorescences), kuppimaiset kuopat (cup-shaped depressions), or kuppimaiset reunat (cup-shaped rims). It can be used attributively (ne kuppimaiset muodot) or predicatively (muodot ovat kuppimaiset) depending on the sentence structure.

Notes: While broadly applicable, kuppimaiset is most often encountered in technical or descriptive texts rather than everyday language. Its exact meaning remains context-dependent, relying on the reference noun to establish what is cup-shaped.