valitsesid

Valitsesid is the Estonian past tense form meaning they governed or ruled. It is the past tense, third person plural, of the verb valitseda (to govern, to rule). The form is used when the subject performing the action is plural, such as governments, states, or ruling bodies in historical or narrative contexts.

Grammar notes: In Estonian, verbs inflect for person and number in the past tense. Valitsesid signals that a plural subject enacted governance in the past. The corresponding singular past forms would be valitses (he/she governed) or valitsesin (I governed). The present tense forms differ and would be valitsevad (they govern) or valitsed (you govern), among others.

Usage: Valitsesid appears primarily in historical or political writing to describe periods when multiple governments held power. It provides a neutral, descriptive way to recount governance without asserting praise or blame. For example: Erinevad valitsused valitsesid riiki erinevatel aastatel. This conveys that different governments ruled the country across different years.

Etymology and related terms: The verb valitseda is related to the noun valitsus (government) and the noun valitseja (ruler). Related past forms include valitsesid, valitsesin, and valitsesite, each aligning with different subjects and persons. The concept is often contrasted with valitsus-jaotuses, which discusses the organization of governance rather than the act of ruling.

See also: valitsus, valitseja, valitsusaeg.