odcinek

Odcinek is a Polish noun with several related meanings, all linked by the idea of a part that has been separated from a larger whole. In general use, it can denote a physical section (a road or railway segment), a portion of time (a stretch of the day), or a part of a narrative or program (an episode).

In mathematics, odcinek refers to a line segment: the set of points between two endpoints A and B, including the endpoints. It is characterized by its length, denoted |AB|, and is distinguished from a ray or a full line.

In media and storytelling, odcinek means an episode of a television series, radio program, or podcast. A series is composed of multiple odcinki, which may be numbered or titled.

The word also appears in everyday language to describe a part of a larger object or process, such as an odcinek drogi (a section of road), odcinek torów (a section of tracks), or an odcinek dnia (a portion of the day).

Etymology: odcinek derives from odciąć, meaning “to cut off,” with the suffix -ek, forming a noun that conveys a piece cut off from a whole. This reflects the sense of a distinct segment or interval.

Grammatical notes: odcinek is a masculine noun. Declension (singular): nominative odcinek; genitive odcinka; dative odcinkowi; accusative odcinek; instrumental odcinkiem; locative odcinku; vocative odcinku. Plural: nominative odcinki; genitive odcinków; dative odcinkom; accusative odcinki; instrumental odcinkami; locative odcinkach; vocative odcinki.