gediegen

German

Etymology

From Middle High German gedigen (mature, nourishing, capable), from Old High German githigan; originally the past participle of gedeihen.[1]

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ɡəˈdiːɡŋ̍/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: ge‧die‧gen

Adjective

gediegen (comparative gediegener, superlative am gediegensten)

  1. (of a metal) pure, unadulterated, sterling, solid, native
    Kupfer kommt gediegen nur selten in der Natur vor.
    Copper very rarely occurs in pure form in nature.
  2. solid, high-quality, well-made
    Das ist ein gediegener Schmuck.
    That's a quality piece of jewelry.
  3. solid, reliable, good
    Er ist ein gediegener Charakter; ich kenne wenige, auf die man sich so verlassen kann.
    He's a solid guy; I don't know many people who can be counted on like he can.
  4. (Northern Germany, colloquial) odd, strange, peculiar, weird
    Er hat manchmal so'n büschen gediegene Ansichten.
    He's got kinda weird opinions sometimes.

Declension

Synonyms

Derived terms

  • Gediegenheit

References

  1. gediegen in Duden online

Further reading

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