ontginnen

From Middle Dutch ontginnen, derived with prefix ont- from Proto-Germanic *ginnaną, which is not attested in unprefixed form in any Germanic language (compare beginnen and Old Dutch aginnan). Cognate to Old English onginnan and Old Saxon andginnan.

• IPA^(key): /ˌɔntˈxɪ.nə(n)/

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• Hyphenation: ont‧gin‧nen
• Rhymes: -ɪnən

ontginnen

1. (transitive, of land) to develop into agricultural land
2. (transitive, of land) to remove the topsoil from
3. (transitive, of mines and mineral resources) to excavate, to extract from the earth
4. (transitive, obsolete) to begin, to commence

• ontginning

• Afrikaans: ontgin