macht
See also: Macht
Dutch
Alternative forms
- magt (obsolete)
Etymology
From Middle Dutch macht, from Old Dutch *maht, from Proto-West Germanic *mahti, from Proto-Germanic *mahtiz. Equivalent to mogen (“to may, to be allowed”) + -t (“verbal noun”).
Pronunciation
Audio: (file) - IPA(key): /mɑxt/
- Hyphenation: macht
- Rhymes: -ɑxt
Noun
macht f (plural machten, diminutive machtje n)
- political power, control
- Antonyms: onmacht, machteloosheid
- power, might, capability
- Synonym: vermogen
- a power in international politics
- Synonym: mogendheid
- a military force, such as an army
- (mathematics) power (of multiplication)
- (Christianity) power (type of angel, ranking above archangel)
Usage notes
- Although it is a cognate to the English word "might", macht typically refers to rulership or effective power rather than physical capabilities or positive qualities. For example: in English, the phrase "a mighty king" will likely evoke the image of an effective, virtuous or strong ruler. In Dutch, however, the etymologically equivalent phrase "een machtige koning" can simply refer to a king with many resources under his control. Historically, macht referred to one's power over their body and mind. See also Kraft vs. Macht.
Derived terms
- almacht
- bemachtigen
- eendracht maakt macht
- grootmacht
- hoofdmacht
- kernmacht
- krijgsmacht
- landmacht
- legermacht
- luchtmacht
- machteloos
- machthebber
- machtig
- machtsbelust
- machtsgreep
- machtsmisbruik
- machtsovername
- machtspartij
- machtspolitiek
- machtssfeer
- machtsstrijd
- machtsuitbreiding
- machtsvacuüm
- machtsverdeling
- machtsverheffen
- machtsverhouding
- machtsvertoon
- machtswellust
- onmacht
- oppermacht
- overmacht
- politiemacht
- scheiding der machten
- strijdmacht
- supermacht
- tegenmacht
- troepenmacht
- volmacht
- vredesmacht
- zeemacht
Descendants
- Afrikaans: mag
- Negerhollands: macht, magt
- Skepi Creole Dutch: makt
- → Aukan: makiti
- → Caribbean Javanese: makti
German
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [maxt]
Audio: (file)
Verb
macht