deerne
Dutch
Alternative forms
- deern
Etymology
From Middle Dutch dierne, from Old Dutch *thiorna (attested in the genitive case as thierno), from Proto-Germanic *þewernǭ.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈdeːr.nə/, [ˈdɪːr.nə]
Audio (file) - Hyphenation: deer‧ne
Noun
deerne f (plural deernen or deernes, diminutive deerntje n)
- (affectionate in some areas, derogatory in others) girl
- (derogatory) promiscuous woman
- (archaic) maidservant, maid
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.