näisid

Näisid is a term that appears in limited contexts within Estonian-language material. It is not a common word in modern standard Estonian and has no single, universally accepted meaning today. In historical and dialectal sources, näisid is typically treated as a plural form of an archaic noun näis, which is associated with appearances, manifestations, or demonstrations. The exact sense of näisid depends on the surrounding text and author, ranging from literal appearances to metaphorical manifestations.

In folklore and literature, näisid is sometimes used to refer to appearances of beings, phenomena, or events that are significant within a narrative or ritual context. Because the term is rare and its usage varies, translations and interpretations are highly context-dependent, and it may be rendered differently by different editors.

In modern usage, näisid may occur as a proper noun in fictional works or as a surname in Estonian names. As a lexeme outside of historical or literary contexts, it lacks a fixed definition, and dictionaries typically note its rarity.

Due to limited attestation, authoritative dictionaries provide little guidance on its modern meaning.