peräpeili

Peräpeili is a Finnish term that can refer to several related concepts, primarily associated with vehicles and boats. In its most common usage, it describes the rear-view mirror system of a vehicle. This includes the mirrors mounted on the exterior of a car, truck, or bus, designed to allow the driver to see behind and to the sides of the vehicle. These are essential for safe driving, enabling maneuvers like changing lanes and parking.

The term can also extend to the interior rear-view mirror found in cars, which allows the driver to see directly behind the vehicle through the rear window. In a broader sense, peräpeili can also refer to the stern or transom of a boat, the flat or slightly angled surface at the very back of the hull. This area is often where outboard motors are mounted or where boat names are displayed.

Historically, the term might have had more colloquial applications, but its primary modern meaning is firmly rooted in automotive and maritime safety and design. The function of a peräpeili, whether a mirror or a boat's stern, is to provide visibility or a functional surface at the rear. The specific context usually clarifies which meaning is intended.