saostuma

Saostuma is an Estonian verb that denotes the transition of a dispersed phase into a solid or semi-solid state, or the settling of particles out of a liquid. In practical terms, it describes processes where a liquid loses its ability to suspend substances, causing them to come together and form a solid, or to settle as sediment at the bottom.

In scientific contexts, saostuma refers to precipitation, coagulation, or sedimentation. For example, in chemistry a dissolved substance may saostuda (precipitate) when conditions change, forming a solid that settles out of the solution. In dairy and culinary contexts, milk or mixtures may saostuda (curdle or thicken) as acids or enzymes cause proteins to aggregate. In water treatment and geology, saostumine (the process of coagulation and settling) is used to describe the removal of suspended solids through sedimentation.

Grammatically, saostuma is an intransitive verb with related forms such as saostub (present), saostunud (past participle), and saostumine (the noun form). The verb is used both in literal scientific sense and, less formally, in everyday language to describe thickening, curdling, or the formation of a solid from a suspension. Figuratively, it can also describe the consolidation or unification of plans, opinions, or crowds.

In summary, saostuma covers physical processes of solid formation from liquids and has both technical and general usage in Estonian.