deerne

Dutch

Alternative forms

  • deern

Etymology

From Middle Dutch dierne, from Old Dutch thiorna, from Proto-West Germanic *þewernā.

Pronunciation

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

Noun

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

  1. (endearing in some areas, derogatory in others) girl
  2. (derogatory) promiscuous woman
  3. (archaic) maidservant, maid
    Synonyms: dienstbode, dienstmaagd, dienstmeid, meid

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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