mīkstums

From mīksts (“soft”) +‎ -ums.

mīkstums m (1st declension)

1. softness (the quality of that which is soft)

   mālu mīkstums ― the softness of clay

   matu mīkstums ― the softness of hair

   rakstura mīkstums ― softness of character

   ūdens mīkstums ― water softness

   viņa iegrimst sēdekļa mīkstums līdz ausīm ― she was absorbed into the softness of the seat to (her) ears

2. soft part (of something)

   maizes mīkstums ― soft part of bread (under the crust)

   zoba mīkstums ― soft part of teeth, dental pulp

   atdalīt plūmes kauliņu no mīkstuma ― to separate plum seed(s) from the pulp

   sagriezt gaļas mīkstumu šķēlēs ― to cut the soft meat into slices

   (colloquial) dabūt pa mīkstumiem — to get on the soft parts (of one's bodies, i.e., to get a beating)

• cietums, cietība