Õigest

Õigest is a neologism used in speculative or experimental discussions of the Estonian language and philosophy. It is not a standard word found in established dictionaries, but rather a constructed term sometimes employed in linguistic exercises, glossaries of fictional languages, or theoretical prose to illustrate how a single form might encode a concept.

Etymology and status: The form is not attested in traditional Estonian usage. It is commonly described as a coined variant built from Estonian roots that resemble genuine word-formation patterns, such as a potential link to words meaning truth or essence, combined with a suffix that resembles productive endings in neologisms. Given its artificial origin, its precise meaning and grammar are deliberately underspecified and can vary by author.

Meaning and usage: In hypothetical contexts, õigest is presented as a noun or abstract noun representing the “essential truth” or “core essence” of a thing. In sample constructions, one might see phrases like “Õigest peitub olemus,” loosely rendered as “The essence lies in the true core.” Because it is not part of standard Estonian, its acceptability and interpretation depend on the author and the surrounding text.

Reception: Õigest has no broad scholarly acceptance and is primarily of interest in discussions about word formation, neologisms, and the exploration of how languages can encode abstract concepts. It serves more as a linguistic or literary device than as a functional element of everyday language.

See also: Estonian language, neologisms, philosophy of language, essence.