läiskä

Läiskä is a Finnish noun describing a small irregular mark, spot, or patch on a surface. It typically refers to a blot or smear created by liquid or pigment, such as a stain on fabric, paper, a wall, or skin. The term is widely used in everyday language to denote unintended marks, but it can also describe intentional blotchy patterns in art and design.

Etymology and form: Läiskä derives from the verb läiskätä, meaning to splash or smear. The word is commonly used in both singular and plural forms, with läiskät referring to multiple spots or patches.

Contexts and usage: In ordinary speech, one might speak of coffee läiskä on a shirt, ink läiskä on a page, or paint läiskä on a chair. In dermatology or medical contexts, läiskä can refer to patches or blotches on the skin or mucous membranes, though more precise medical terms are also used. In art and design, läiskä can describe blotchy or splashed patterns, whether created deliberately in painting, printing, or textile design.

Related terms: Läiskä is related to but distinct from words such as läikkä and tahra. Läikkä often conveys a larger or more diffuse stain or puddle, while tahra emphasizes a mark or smudge. The nuances can vary with context and regional usage.

See also: blot, stain, smear, blotchy pattern.