otsitavate

Otsitavate is an Estonian participial adjective formed from the verb otsida, meaning to search. The base form otsitav can denote something that is to be searched or, in technical contexts, something that is searchable or retrievable. Otsitavate is the genitive plural form of otsitav, used to modify a plural noun in the genitive case, for example otsitavate andmete, meaning “of the data to be searched” or “searchable data.”

Usage and nuance: The sense of otsitav depends on context. In everyday language, it can mean “to be searched” or “to be sought.” In information retrieval, data management, and related fields, otsitav is commonly interpreted as “searchable” or “retrievable.” The inflected form otsitavate appears in phrases where the modified noun is in genitive plural, such as otsitavate andmete kaitse, the protection of searchable data.

Examples:

- Otsitavate andmete kaitse peab olema prioriteet.

- Süsteem on loodud otsitavate dokumentide kiireks leidmiseks ja indekseerimiseks.

See also: otsing, otsida, andmed. The term is primarily a grammatical form of otsitav, and its meaning as “searchable” emerges through usage in technical contexts such as information retrieval and data governance. While otsitavole is not a standalone concept separate from the root, otsitavate functions as a common descriptive form in Estonian to refer to data or entities that are intended to be found or retrieved.