deerne

Dutch

Alternative forms
  • deern

Etymology

From Middle Dutch dierne, from Old Dutch *thiorna (attested in the genitive case as thierno), from Proto-Germanic *þewernǭ.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈdeːr.nə/, [ˈdɪːr.nə]
  • Audio(file)
  • Hyphenation: deer‧ne

Noun

deerne f (plural deernen or deernes, diminutive deerntje n)

  1. (affectionate in some areas, derogatory in others) girl
  2. (derogatory) promiscuous woman
  3. (archaic) maidservant, maid

Usage notes
  • The word is current in the eastern Netherlands. Speakers from other areas, especially the Randstad, may consider the term old-fashioned or literary.
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