püstine

Püstine is an Estonian adjective meaning upright, erect, or vertical. It describes something that is in an upright position or oriented along a vertical axis, and it can apply to objects, bodies, or abstract concepts such as posture or alignment. In technical language, püstine is used in compounds like püstine asend (vertical position), püstine telg (vertical axis), and püstine joon (vertical line). In everyday speech, it can describe a person standing straight or any object that is oriented vertically.

The word is derived from the root püsti meaning upright, together with the adjectival suffix -ne. It is related to the adverb püsti and to other orientation terms used in Estonian, such as vertikaalne. Püstine is typically employed when a precise orientation descriptor is needed, especially in fields like architecture, engineering, and geometry, as well as in descriptions of posture or stance.

In usage, püstine serves as a neutral term for vertical orientation and does not inherently carry evaluative or emotional connotations. It can be contrasted with terms for non-vertical positions, such as kaldutatud (tilted) or poolpüstine (partially upright). See also vertikaalne, asend, and orientatsioon for related concepts.