määrusena

Määrusena is the translative case form of the Estonian noun määräus, meaning an official order, directive, or regulation issued by an authority. In legal and administrative language, määrusena is used to express that something is to be regarded or applied as a decree or directive, or to describe the status in which a document, provision, or rule operates.

In grammar, määrusena demonstrates the function of the translative case, which in Estonian is used to indicate becoming, role, or state. The word is formed from the noun määrus with the translative suffix -na, yielding the sense “as a decree” or “in the capacity of a directive.” Its usage is therefore most common in formal texts, such as government or municipal documents, regulations, and legal commentary, rather than in everyday speech.

The term määräus itself denotes an official command, order, or regulation. It is typically distinguished from related legal terms such as otsus (decision) and seadus (law), where määrus emphasizes administrative directives or rules issued by an authority rather than judicial or legislative acts. In context, määrusena can appear in phrases describing how a document should be treated or implemented: for example, a regulation presented or applied as an official directive.

Etymologically, määräus derives from the verb määrama (“to order, to appoint, to prescribe”) with a nominalizing suffix, and the translative -na attaches to express “as.” Related forms include other translative agents used to describe role or status in formal Estonian, such as noun phrases with -na or -na-based endings.

See also: Estonian translative case, määrus (order or regulation), otsus (decision), seadus (law).