knaap

From Middle Dutch cnāpe, from Old Dutch cnapo, from Proto-Germanic *knappô (“boy, youth”), from Proto-Indo-European *gnebʰ- (“to press, tighten”). Compare German Knappe, Knabe, English knave, knape, Danish knabe, Icelandic knapi.

• IPA^(key): /knaːp/

• Audio

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• Rhymes: -aːp

knaap m (plural knapen, diminutive knaapje n)

1. boy, usually adolescent
2. (by extension) Any human male, regardless of age
   • 1982, Rubberen Robbie, "Meneer Tarzan".

     Wie zei daar domme aap? / Pas op je woorden, knaap

3. (chiefly in compounds) A servant, helper
4. A big one, whopper, said of a creature or an object

• (boy): jongen, knul
• (big one): kanjer

• (boy): knapenschenner, knapenstem, koorknaap
• (helper): schildknaap