Üldikkus

Üldikkus is an Estonian noun formed with the prefix üld- meaning general and the abstract-noun suffix -ikkus. The term denotes the act or result of forming a broad, non-detailed assessment of a subject, typically a general overview or high-level summary rather than a detailed analysis. The combination of the morphemes signals a focus on broad scope and overarching characteristics.

In usage, üldikkus appears mainly in formal, academic, or administrative contexts—such as reports, policy briefs, or theoretical discussions—where a concise statement about overall features or trends is needed. It is less common in everyday speech, and in many cases writers may prefer synonyms such as üldvaade (general view) or kokkuvõte (summary), depending on the intended nuance. Nuances of üldikkus include an emphasis on generalization and a broad frame, sometimes at the expense of technical detail.

Etymology and related forms: the word is built from üld- and the productive suffix -ikkus, which forms nouns describing states, processes, or results. Related concepts in Estonian include kokkuvõte, which focuses on a condensed summary of details, and üldvaade, which stresses a high-level view rather than a comprehensive synthesis.

Examples (illustrative): "Uurimistöö üldikkus keskendus peamistele suundadele ja soovituslikele järeldustele." "Raporti üldikkus koondab peamised tulemused ühte lausesse." These usages illustrate how üldikkus functions as a high-level descriptor in formal writing.

See also: kokkuvõte, üldvaade, üldine järeldus.