Zwolle

Zwolle

English

Proper noun

Zwolle

1. A city and capital of Overijssel, Netherlands.
2. A municipality of Overijssel, Netherlands.

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Dutch

Location map of Zwolle (green) in Overijssel (dark grey)

Etymology

• (Overijssel) First attested as swolle in 1129. Derived from Old Dutch *swolle (“elevated place”). The toponym refers to an incline in the landscape between the four rivers surrounding the city, i.e. the IJssel, Vecht, Aa and Zwarte Water. The hill was the only piece of land that would remain dry during the frequent floodings of the rivers. Zwolle was established on that incline. Compare Zweeloo.
• (Oost Gelre) First attested as suellen in 1234. Derived from Middle Dutch swelle (“hill, elevated place”). Compare Zweeloo.

The surname derives from one of the toponyms.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈzʋɔ.lə/
• Hyphenation: Zwol‧le
• Rhymes: -ɔlə

Proper noun

Zwolle n

1. Zwolle (a city and municipality and capital of Overijssel, Netherlands).

   Synonym: Sassendonk (Carnival nickname)

   Meronyms: De Lichtmis, De Ruiten, Haerst, Harculo, Herfte, Hoog Zuthem, Langenholte, Oldeneel, Spoolde, Wijthmen, Windesheim, Zalné

2. A hamlet in Oost Gelre, Gelderland, Netherlands.
3. a surname

Derived terms

• Zwollenaar
• Zwols
• Zwollerkerspel
• Zwolsewijk

References

• van Berkel, Gerard; Samplonius, Kees (2018), “zwolle”, in Nederlandse plaatsnamen verklaard (in Dutch), Mijnbestseller.nl, →ISBN