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.