knaap

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch cnāpe, from Old Dutch cnapo, from Proto-Germanic *knappô (“boy, youth”), from Proto-Indo-European *gnebʰ- (“to press, tighten”). Compare German Knappe, Knabe, English knave, knape, Danish knabe, Icelandic knapi.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /knaːp/
Audio (file)
Rhymes: -aːp

Noun

knaap m (plural knapen, diminutive knaapje n)

boy, usually adolescent
(by extension) Any human male, regardless of age
- 1982, Rubberen Robbie, "Meneer Tarzan".
  Wie zei daar domme aap? / Pas op je woorden, knaap
(chiefly in compounds) A servant, helper
A big one, whopper, said of a creature or an object

Synonyms

(boy): jongen, knul
(big one): kanjer

Derived terms

(boy): knapenschenner, knapenstem, koorknaap
(helper): schildknaap