tervikute

Tervikute is the genitive plural form of the Estonian noun tervik, meaning the whole, entirety; a complete unit or system. The term refers to wholes considered as integrated entities, often in contrast to their individual parts. In philosophy, systems theory, design, and everyday language, tervik denotes a cohesive whole whose properties emerge from the arrangement and interaction of its components. When speaking about more than one such entity or when attributing characteristics to multiple wholes, the form tervikute is used.

In grammar, tervik is declined like a typical Estonian noun; the singular genitive is terviku, and the plural genitive is tervikute, with the plural nominative being tervikud. The word is native to Estonian and carries nuanced senses of integrity, wholeness, and systemic organization. Common collocations include koosseis (composition), struktuur (structure), and mõiste (concept), which help express the relationships and properties of wholes.

Examples of usage include: “Uurimus keskendub tervikute struktuurile ja nende omavahelistele suhetele” and “Tervikute arvu ja omaduste uurimine aitab mõista süsteemi toimimist.” These sentences illustrate discussing multiple wholes or referring to their characteristics in relation to a larger system.

See also: tervik, tervikpilt, holism.