nimmer

English

Etymology

nim + -er

Noun

nimmer (plural nimmers)

  1. A petty thief.[1]

References

  1. Garner, Bryan A. (2005) Blacks Law Dictionary, Abridged Eighth edition, Thomson/West, →ISBN, page 880

Anagrams


Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch nemmer, from Old Dutch niemer. Equivalent to n- + immer.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈnɪ.mər/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: nim‧mer
  • Rhymes: -ɪmər

Adverb

nimmer

  1. never

Usage notes

Nimmer has a slightly more formal connotation than nooit, although nimmer is also used in everyday spoken language.

Synonyms

Derived terms


German

Etymology

Originally n- + immer, thus the same construct as English ever and never. Later on there has been interference by unrelated dialectal contractions of nicht mehr, as which the word is interpreted by most contemporary speakers.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈnɪmər/
  • (file)

Adverb

nimmer

  1. (regional, chiefly southern Germany, Austria) no more, no longer
  2. (regional, chiefly southern Germany, Austria) never again
  3. (archaic or poetic, literary) never, at no time
    • Espenbaum, Paul Celan:
      Meiner Mutter Haar ward nimmer weiß.

Usage notes

  • In northern Germany and many parts of central Germany, the word is used mainly in some set phrases such as nie und nimmer (never ever). Otherwise, it sounds archaic or poetic. It is used more readily in southern Germany and Austria, meaning “no more” or “never again”. The original sense “never, at no time” is now rare.

Synonyms

  • (no more): nicht mehr
  • (never again): nie mehr, nie wieder
  • (never): nie, niemals

Derived terms

Further reading

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