lõhenenud

Lõhenenud is an Estonian adjective formed from the verb lõhenema and describes something that has developed cracks or is split into pieces. It is used for physical surfaces and materials, such as glass, ceramic, plaster or wood, when cracks are visible or the material has become brittle. The word can also be used in a more metaphorical sense to indicate that something is damaged or structurally weakened, for example an argument or a plan, though this use tends to be more formal.

Etymology and grammar: the word derives from the noun lõhe, meaning a crack or fissure. The nominal form is combined with the suffix -nema to form the verb lõhenema, and the past participle suffix -nud yields lõhenenud. As an adjective, lõhenenud agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case, as in lõhenenud klaas (cracked glass) or lõhenenud laudade ruut (cracked tables, if pluralized correctly in context).

Usage notes: common collocations include lõhenenud pind (cracked surface), lõhenenud serv (cracked edge), and lõhenenud puit (cracked wood). It is distinct from mädanenud (rotten) and vigastatud (damaged), as lõhenenud specifically emphasizes cracks or splinters rather than decay or disrepair. The term is neutral and descriptive, suitable for technical descriptions, product notes, and standard prose.