laikmet

Laikmet is a term encountered in Baltic-language scholarly and cultural discourse, used to denote the modern era or epoch. In Latvian, laikmets means “epoch” or “era” and is used to designate the period roughly from the late 18th or 19th century to the present, a time marked by modernization, industrialization, and nation-building. In Lithuanian, a closely related form such as laikmetis carries a similar meaning; in both languages the concept functions to distinguish the modern age from earlier historical periods.

The term is employed in academic writing to discuss changes in politics, society, technology, and culture that characterize modernity in the Baltic region and beyond. In art and culture, laikmet is visible in phrases such as laikmetīgā māksla in Latvian, commonly translated as contemporary art, illustrating how the notion of the modern era informs how art is categorized and studied. The concept also appears in museums, journals, and public discourse, where it signals a focus on modern or contemporary phenomena rather than classical or medieval periods.

Because laikmet appears as a stem or root in compounding, its exact form and meaning can vary by language and suffix, leading to spellings such as laikmets or laikmetis in different contexts. For precise usage, readers are advised to consult standard Latvian or Lithuanian dictionaries and discipline-specific glossaries. If a specific context or a proper noun is intended, more details would help tailor the article.