Names
Armatuuri (Armatuur)
Fixture, (light-)fitting, framework, mounting accessory/ies. Part of a loose construction-materials group, and close to two of the town’s main building supplies’ merchants. See also Asfaldi.
Artelli (Artell)
‘Artel’, direct transcription of Rus. арте́ль, a workers’ guild or association, general term for various semi-formal cooperative associations in Russia and its sphere of influence from 1860ish to 1960ish, pretty much dead nowadays, despite its use in business names à la Hansa. Activities ranged from fishing and art, to stevedoring and thieving. Etymology very uncertain: Italian artiere, artisan has been suggested, but probably fortuitous. Vasmer seems to prefer either Tuvan урталай (urtalai), or Kipchak (Tatar or Bashkir) арт ил (art il), people in the rear, or reserve. The question remains open.
Aru (Aru)
Dry upland meadow or grassland. Also means reason, mind, intellect, understanding or wits (Ma saan aru means “I understand”, a statement often followed by devastating proof that, in fact, they don’t). Part of a fodder and staples street-name group. See Auna.
Arukaskede (Arukased [pl.])
Silver or lowland birches (Sing.: arukask), Betula pendula, aka kask, arukõiv (kõiv is a dialectal, and probably older, name for birch), õmmik (the beneedled), etc. Since Aru or arro also means dry land, this may well reflect the tree’s habitat.
Asfaldi (Asfalt)
Asphalt. Named after nearby asphalt depot. Part of a loose construction-materials group. See Betooni.
