Abdige (noun, f.)
1. An abbey.
From Middle Low German abdige, an alternative from of abbedie, whence also Danish and Norwegian abbedi.
Abortus (noun, m.)
1. An abortion, miscarriage, etc.
Has no plural. From Late Latin abortus; many descendants are from this word.
absurd (adjective)
1. Absurd, silly, ridiculous.
16th century; From Middle French absurde, in turn from Latin absurdus (incongruent).
a capella (adverb)
1. In the manner of a choir singing without instrumental accompaniment.
Alternatively spelled "a kapella".
Direct borrowing from Italian a capella ("in the manner of the chapel").
Ace (noun, m.)
1. An ace (term used in cards and various sports).
2. An ace (pilot).
3. An ace (small amount).
4. (adjective, informal) Excellent.
Uses -s plural. From Old French as, in turn from Latin assis. Perfect cognate of English ace, which is also where sense 4 originates.
Accent (noun, m.)
1. Accent (diacritic or a manner of speaking).
Uses -s plural. From Latin accentus, a calque of Ancient Greek prosoidia.
Accessoire (noun, m.)
1. An accessory, a prop.
Uses -s plural. Direct borrowing from Medieval Latin accessorius.
accurat (adjective, adverb)
1. Accurate(ly), punctual(ly).
From Latin accuratus; ultimately an internationalism.
Accuratnes (noun, n.)
1. Accuracy, accurateness.
Compound of accurat and -nes(s).
acht (adjective)
1. True, genuine, real, etc.
2. (by extension) Real (actual, genuinely existing, etc.)
From Middle Low German echt, in turn from proto-West Germanic *aiwahaft. The "e" became "a" in conformance with Konigsbergesk vowel pronunciation; cf. archaic German ächt. Close cognate with German and Dutch echt.
achtleik (adverb)
1. Actually, truly.
Compound of acht and -leik.
Acne (noun, f.)
1. Acne (skin condition).
Borrowed from Late Latin acne, a corruption of Ancient Greek akme (point, top).
Acupuntur (noun, f.)
1. Acupunture (medical treatment).
Borrowed from English acupunture, itself a borrowing from Late Latin acupuntura.
Adjektiv (noun, n.)
1. An adjective.
From Old French adjectif, in turn from Latin adiectivus. Ultimately an internationalism.
Administrater (noun, m.)
1. Administrator.
From administration + er/.
Administration (noun, f.)
1. Management, administration.
From Old French administration, in turn from Latin administrationem.
Admiral (noun, m.)
1. An admiral.
Borrowed from German Admiral, in turn a borrowing from Old French admiral.
adopten (regular verb)
1. To adopt.
From Middle French adopter; cognate of many languages.
adoptig (adjective)
1. Adopted.
From adopten + -ig.
Adoption (noun, n.)
1. Adoption.
See adopten.
Adresse (noun, f.)
1. An address (in the sense of a description or instructions to determine a geographic location).
2. (regular verb) To address (usually a crowd).
Uses plural -s. Direct 16th century borrowing from French adresse, itself from Old French adrece.
Adriatisk Jura (proper noun, f.)
1. Adriatic Sea.
Calque of English Adriatic Sea.
Adverb (noun, n.)
1. An adverb.
From Old French adverbe, in turn from Latin adverbium.
Advokat (noun, m.)
1. A lawyer.
C. 14th century borrowing from Old French advocat.
Aëroplane (noun, m.)
1. An aeroplane.
Uses -s plural. Late 1850s borrowing from now-obsolete French aéroplane; cf. English aeroplane and its dated variant aëroplane.
Aërosol (noun, n.)
1. An aerosol.
Uses -s plural. Borrowed from English aerosol, which is a compound of aero- and sol (solution).
af (preposition)
1. (with dative) Off (no longer attached to), away from, out of, off of, etc.
2. (adverb) Away.
Inherited from Gothic af, in turn from proto-Germanic *ab.
afer (conjunction, preposition)
1. But, however, though.
2. Although.
3. (preposition, with dative) According to, in accordance with.
Inherited from Gothic afar, in turn from proto-Germanic *afera. Cognate with German aber, Low German aver, Saterland Frisian oaber, etc.
Afi (noun, m.)
1. A grandfather.
2. Forefather, forebear, ancestor, etc.
From Old Norse afi, likely from proto-Germanic *awo (grandfather). Sense 2 is etymologically unclear; perhaps due to the association of grandfathers with age and storytelling. Cf. Icelandic afi (grandfather) and archaic ai (forefather, ancestor).
afkorten (regular verb)
1. To take away, subtract.
From af- (off) and korten (short).
Afrika (proper noun, f.)
1. Africa (continent).
From German Afrika, in turn from Latin Africa, then Afer (inhabitant of Carthage).
Afrikaner (proper noun, m.)
1. African
From Afrika + er.
Afrikask (adjective)
1. African.
From Afrika + -isk.
afskappen (regular verb)
1. To abolish, annul, dissolve, discontinue, etc.
From af- and skappen (literally meaning to "off create"). Cf. German abschaffen and Dutch afschaffen.
Agent (noun, m.)
1. An agent (one who exerts power).
From Danish agent, in turn from Latin agens.
aggressiv (adjective)
1. Aggressive; prone to anger, having a temper, etc.
From French aggressif, reinforced by German and Swedish aggressiv.
Agonie (noun, f.)
1. Agony (state before death; extreme pain).
From French agonie, reinforced by German Agonie.
ainlif (numeral)
1. (cardinal) Eleven.
2. (noun, f.) Eleven (as a digit or figure).
Inherited from Gothic ainlif, in turn from proto-Germanic *ainalif (eleven, literally meaning "one left").
Airþ (noun, f.)
1. Ground.
2. Soil.
3. Earth (the planet).
4. (by extension of sense 3) A world, a space to live in.
Inherited from Gothic airþa, in turn from Proto-Germanic *erþo. Cognate of English earth, Dutch aarde, German Erde, etc.
Ak (noun, n.)
1. An ache.
Deverbal of aken; see there for more.
Akademie (noun, f.)
1. Academy (institute for higher learning).
C. 14th century, from French academie, in turn from Latin academia.
akademig (adjective)
1. Academic.
From Akademie and -ig.
aken (regular verb)
1. To ache.
From Old Saxon *akan, in turn from proto-Germanic *akana. Cognate with English ache, Dutch akelig.
Akkord (noun, m.)
1. Accord (agreement, treaty, etc.)
Borrowing from German Akkord, itself a borrowing from French accord. Doublet of Akkordeon.
Akkordeon (noun, n.)
1. Accordion.
Borrowing from German Akkordeon, literally Akkord + -eon. Ultimately an internationalism; doublet of Akkord.
Akr (noun, m.)
1. A field, open land.
2. An acre.
Inherited from Gothic akrs, in turn from proto-Germanic *akraz. Cognate with English acre, German Acker, Dutch akker.
Akrobate (noun, m.)
1. An acrobat, or acrobatics.
Borrowed from French acrobate, in turn from Ancient Greek akrobates ("I step on tiptoe.").
Akt (noun, f.)
1. Act (in plays).
Contraction of Aktion; see there for more.
Aktion (noun, m.)
1. An action (film genre, act, etc.)
Borrowed from English action, in turn from Latin action (act of doing something).
Aktiv (adjective)
1. Active, agile, etc.
From Akt +-iv.
Alarme (noun, f.)
1. An alarm (clock).
Uses -s plural. Borrowed from Middle French alarme, itself a contraction of Italian all'arme (to arms!).
Album (noun, n.)
1. An album.
Uses -s plural. Internationalism; from Latin album (blank tablet).
Alder (noun, n.)
1. Age, lifetime.
2. (by extension) Old age.
From Old Saxon aldar, in turn from proto-Germanic *aldra. Cognate of Low German Oller.
Alfabet (noun, n.)
1. An alphabet.
C. 14th century, from Latin alphabētum.
Alkohol (noun, m.)
1. Alcohol.
Borrowed from German Alkohol.
allergisk (adjective)
1. Allergic.
From allergie + -isk.
also (conjunction, adverb)
1. Then, thus, so, hence.
2. To the same degree or extent; so, as.
3. As it is (already, in actuality).
Compound of a contracted form of "alle" (all) and "so" (same meaning as in English). Cf. English, German and Luxembourgish also, Dutch alzo.
altaim (adverb)
1. Forever, always.
Compound of a contracted form of "alle" (all) and "taim" (time). Cf. Dutch altijd, Swedish alltid, German allzeit, and others.
alþ (adjective)
1. Old, ancient, elderly, etc.
Inherited from Gothic alþeis, in turn from proto-Germanic *aldaz.
amen (adverb)
1. Amen (Christian religious affirmation usually at the end of prayers).
Inherited from Gothic amen, in turn from Biblical Hebrew "amen"; certainly, verily. Cognate to dozens of languages.
ana (preposition)
1. (usually with dative noun) On (positioned at the upper surface), on top of, above, covering, etc.
2. (with accusative) Onto, directed to, etc.
Inherited from Gothic ana, in turn from Proto-Germanic *ana. Cognate to all Germanic languages and Finnish ani, meaning "extremely".
anak (adverb, adjective)
1. Sudden(ly), abrupt(ly), brusque.
Inherited from Gothic anaks. Apparently related to from proto-Slavic naglu, in which case it would be a cognate of Russian naglyj, Polish nagly, Czech/Slovak nahly.
anapassen (regular verb)
1. To adapt, to adjust.
2. To fit on/in.
From ana + passen; literally "to fit on".
Anapasser (noun, n.)
1. Adaptor (device used for compatibility), something that adapts.
From anapassen +-er.
anbord (preposition, adverb)
1. On board; by extension, on or in a means of transportation.
From ana + bord; similar formations exist in Danish, Dutch, English, German, etc.
Andhul (noun, f.)
1. (religious, otherwise formal) Revelation, glory.
Inherited from Gothic andhuljan "to reveal, uncover". The -jan suffix was dropped to form a root noun, even though andhul is not a word in Gothic.
andniman (regular verb)
To accept, take in, adopt.
Inherited from Gothic andiman, of the same meaning. Compound of and and niman; the lattr of which is from proto-Germanic *nemana and is a doublet of nimen.
andnimbar (adjective)
1. Acceptable.
Compound of andniman and -bar.
anger (adjective)
1. Emotionally negative; sad.
2. (noun, m.) Sadness, regret, contrition.
From Old Norse angr, in turn from Proto-Germanic *angazaz. False friend of English anger, though a cognate.
anglad (noun, n.)
1. Unhappiness, misfortune, accident(al).
From an- (un-) and glad (happiness).
angre (regular verb)
1. To become sad, to regret, repent.
See Anger.
Anime (noun, n.)
1. Anime, a type of animation originating from Japan.
Uses plural -s. From Japanese アニメ (anime), an abbreviation of アニメーション (animeeshon), and ultimately from English "animation".
Antenne (noun, f.)
1. An antenna (or aerial).
Uses -s plural. Borrowed from French antenne, in turn from Latin antenna.
Asel (noun, m.)
A donkey, ass.
2. (figuratively) A fool, an idiot.
From proto-West Germanic *asil, whence German Esel, Dutch ezel, English easel, etc.
at (preposition)
1. (usually with dative noun) At (in, near or in the general vicinity of a place, at a point in time).
2. (with dative) At a time, present or taking place at, etc.
Inherited from Gothic at, in turn from proto-Germanic *at. Closest cognate is English at.
atter (adverb)
1. Again, back (to a condition or state).
Borrowed from Old Danish attær, displaced native Gothic aftra (unrelated to efter).
Außo (noun, n.)
1. Ear (organ of hearing).
2. Hearing; ability to hear.
3. Handle (of a cup or bottle).
Inherited from Gothic auso, in turn from proto-Germanic *auso. Closest cognate with Old Norse eyra and descendants.
außar (preposition)
1. Except, besides, apart from.
2. Besides oneself; usually of an emotion.
Usually with dative, rarely with genitive. From Old High Geman uzar; whence also German außer.
Aust (noun, n.)
1. East, eastern, easterly, etc. (also functions as an adjective and adverb).
From proto-Germanic *austraz, related to French est.
Auto (noun, f.)
1. A car.
Internationalism; clipping of French automobile. Cognate of many languages.
Ava (noun, f.)
1. A river.
Inherited from Gothic aƕa (the hwair collapsed into v due to phonetic shifts); in turn from proto-Germanic ahwō. Cognates are mostly archaic and obsolete, except Old Frisian ā and descendants, as well as Old Norse á and some descendants.
Aventure (noun, f.)
1. An adventure.
2. An affair.
Borrowed from Middle French aventure, in turn from Vulgar Latin *adventura.
Å (interjection)
1. Oh (expression of surprise, wonder, understanding, etc.)
Likely onomatopoeic. Also used in Danish and Norwegian for the same purpose.
åcht (numeral)
1. (cardinal) Eight.
2. (noun, f.) Eight (as a digit or figure).
From Middle Low German acht(e), in turn from Old Saxon achto. Closest cognates are Dutch/Low German/Standard German acht, Bavarian and Zipser German åcht.
Åmmo (noun, f.)
1. A grandmother.
2. (informal, slightly derogatory) Any old lady, regardless of whether or not she has grandchildren.
In colloquial or childlike speech, is abridged to Åm. From proto-Germanic *ammo (mother, wet nurse, grandmother), probably not through Old Norse amma. The closest cognates are regional German Amme, Icelandic amma and Faroese omma, though the word in mainland Scandinavia has gained the meaning of wet nurse.
Åpel (noun, m.)
1. An apple.
2. (informal) Apple tree.
Inherited from Proto-Germanic *aplaz. Cognate with all known West Germanic languages. Sense 2 is a clipping of "Åpelbagmas".
Åpelbagmas (noun, m.)
1. An apple tree.
Compound of Åpel "apple" and the dated term "bagmas" (tree).
Bagmas (noun, n.)
1. A large tree.
2. (dated) A tree.
Mostly displaced by "Boom", but persists in compounds (e.g. Åpelbagmas, "apple tree".)
Inherited from Gothic bagms, "tree", in turn from Proto-Germanic *bagmaz.
Bair (noun, m.)
1. A bear.
2. (figuratively) Something akin to a bear; sturdy.
Inherited from Gothic baira, in turn from proto-Germanic *bero. Cognate wih most Germanic languages.
bairan (regular verb)
1. To bear; give birth.
2. (slightly dated) To engender (cause a birth).
3. To carry, to bring forth.
Inherited from Gothic bairan, originally meaning "to carry", ultimately from proto-Germanic *berana. Related to Bair. The sense "give birth" arose from the collapse of the ga- perfective prefix in Konigsbergesk, merging with these senses, similar to Dutch baren.
bak (adjective, preposition, adverb)
1. Back (at or near the rear).
2. Behind (at or to the back or far side of).
3. (noun, n.) Back (rear of the body).
Borrowed from Old Norse bak; acquired the adverbial and preposition sense under influence from Swedish and Danish.
Bal (noun, f.)
1. A ball (fancy party).
Borrowing from French bal, c. late 15th century.
bange (adjective)
1. Afraid, scared, frightened.
From Middle Low German bange, of obscure origin. Not related to English bang, but related to Dutch/German bang.
Barn (noun, n.)
1. A child.
Inherited from Gothic barn, meaning "child", whence *barna in Proto-Germanic. Cognate of Proto-West Germanic *barn and descendants, and Old Norse barn and descendants.
Barnleik (noun, n.)
1. Childhood.
2. Childish, immature.
From "Barn" (child) and the suffix -leik.
Baul (noun, m.)
1. A ball (round, spherical object).
2. (football) Pass, shot.
Probably from Old Saxon bal, of the same meaning. Cognate of German Ball, English ball, Dutch bal, etc.
Benne (noun, n.)
1. A bone.
From Proto-Germanic baina, meaning "leg" or a bone. Possibly influenced by dialectal Low German "benne", meaning "inside", and by extension Hungarian "benne", also meaning inside. Cognate with Dutch been, English bone, OHG bein, and descendants.
Berg (noun, m.)
1. A mountain, hill.
Inherited from Gothic *bairgs, in turn from proto-Germanic *bergaz. The "ai" collapsed into "e" from surroudning influence; cf. German Berg.
Bever (noun, m.)
1. A beaver.
From Middle Low German bever, ultimately from proto-Germanic *bebruz. Cf. Dutch, Frisian, Norwegian bever, the latter of which is a perfect cognate.
Ik bi en Mann.
I am a man.
Inherited from Proto-Germanic *biju / *wesan, with suppletive forms. Cognate with Gothic wisan, Old English beon/is, German sein, and Latin fui (via PIE).
bigiban (regular verb)
1. To admit, to confess.
Compound of bi- and giban.
bileden (regular verb)
1. To accompany.
Compound of bi- and leden.
Biß (noun, m.)
1. A bite.
From the root of bißen. See there for more details.
bißen (regular verb)
1. To bite.
Borrowed c. 8th century from Old High German bīzan, in turn from Proto-Germanic bītana. Cognate of English and most Frisian dialects bite, German beißen, etc.
blank (adjective)
1. Bright, glossy.
2. (noun, n.) Empty text.
From Middle Low German blank, from Old Saxon blank, from Proto-West Germanic *blank.
blåw (adjective)
1. The colour blue.
2. (noun, n.) The colour blue.
3. Bruised.
4. Relating to the political right.
From Proto-Germanic *blēwaz. Cognate of many languages, most closely Norwegian/Swedish/Danish blå, Bavarian, Low and Standard German blau, Cimbrian plabe.
bleiban (regular verb)
1. To stay, remain.
2. To keep on doing something.
3. To loiter (remain in a place for too long).
Inherited from Gothic bileiban, in turn from Proto-Germanic *bilibana. Cognate of English belive, German bleiben, Dutch blijven.
Blok (noun, n.)
1. A block (thick, cuboid object).
2. A block (large group of buildings).
3. A bloc (political group).
4. A notepad.
From Proto-West Germanic *blokk, in turn from Proto-Germanic *blukka. Cognate of English, Swedish and German block, French bloc, Dutch, Frisian and Danish blok, Norwegian blokk.
blokken (regular verb)
1. To block (prevent from doing something).
2. To shape something into a block.
3. To block a phone number (prevent it from calling another number).
From Blok and the verb suffix -en. Sense 3 is likely a calque from English.
Bok (noun, f.)
1. A book.
From Proto-Germanic "boko", meaning "beech [tree]," though in East Germanic, it had acquired the meaning of "book" or writing in a broader sense. Cf. Gothic "boka".
Bombe (noun, f.)
1. A bomb (explosive device).
2. A bombe (round-shaped confection).
Uses plural -s. 17th century borrowing from French bombe, itself a borrowing of Italian bomba.
bomben (regular verb)
1. To bomb.
Bomber (noun, m.)
1. A bomber plane.
2. A bomber jacket.
Uses plural -s. C. 1930s borrowing from English bomber.
Boom (noun, m.)
1. A tree.
2. A pole or beam (usually wooden).
3. (noun, n.) A period of economic prosperity.
C. 15th century borrowing from Middle Low German bôm, in turn from Old Saxon bōm, from Proto-West Germanic *baum, from Proto-Germanic *baumaz. Akin to Dutch boom, Low German Baum, German Baum, West Frisian beam, English beam, and native Konigsbergesk bagmas. Sense 3 is a direct borrowing from English boom, c. 1920s.
Bord (noun, n.)
1. Board, plank.
2. A shelf.
C. 11th century borrowing from Old Saxon bord; in turn from proto-West Germanic *burd and proto-Germanic *burda.
bordan (regular verb)
1. To board up; cover in boards.
2. To get into a vehicle (usually a plane, ship or other nautical method of transport).
3. (informal, idiomatically) To close.
Verbal of bord; see there for more.
Boum (noun, f.)
1. A dance event.
2. (interjection) The sound of an explosion.
Uses plural -s. Sense 1 is a borrowing from French "boum", c. 1960s. Sense 2 probably imitative.
Braß (noun, m.)
1. A loud noise, a hullabaloo.
2. (noun, n.) Brass (the orchestra section).
Sense 1 is a 14th century borrowing from Middle Low German bras; cf. German Brass, "anger, outrage". Sense 2 is a borrowing from English, c. 17th century.
Braud (noun, n.)
1. Bread, or a loaf of bread.
Inherited from Gothic *brauþ, in turn from proto-Germanic *brauda. Cognate of English bread, German brot, Dutch/Afrikaans brood, etc.
braun (adjective)
1. The colour brown.
2. (noun, n.) The colour brown.
From Old Saxon brūn, in turn from Proto-Germanic *brūnaz. Cognate of English brown, Dutch bruin, German braun, Old Norse brú;nn and descendants, French brun, uncommon Spanish/Portuguese/Italian bruno, and more.
Broþer (noun, m.)
1. A brother.
Inherited from Gothic broþar, in turn from proto-Germanic *broþer. Closest cognate is English brother. Likely gained the -er suffix due to influence from coordinate terms (eg. Vader).
Bruk (noun, n.)
1. Use, usage, application.
Deverbal of bruken.
bruken (regular verb)
1. To use, to utilise.
2. To enjoy (have use from).
From Middle Low German bruken, ultimately from proto-West Germanic *brukan (to use).
Brun (noun, f)
1. A brow (bony ridge over the eyes).
2. A sharp edge, a rim.
Borrowed from Old Norse brún, of the same meaning; in turn from Proto-Germanic *bruwo. Cognate of Danish bryn, Englis brow, etc.
Buhse (noun, f.)
1. A box.
2. A rifle, cannon.
From Old High German buhse (a variant without the umlaut), in turn from proto West Germanic *buhsa, ultimately from Latin buxis. Many of the Slavic forms of "rifle" are also derived from OHG buhse.
Buk (noun, m.)
1. A buck (offspring of various animals).
2. A male goat; billy goat.
3. Vaulting pole.
4. (derogatory) A stubborn and/or miserly person.
Merger of two senses; the first is from proto-Germanic *bukkaz, the second is from Old French buc (male goat), itself probably of Germanic origin. Cf. English buck, Dutch bok, Danish buk, German Boch, French bouc, etc.
Burg (noun, f.)
1. A city.
2. Castle, fortification, stronghold.
From proto-Germanic *burgz, possibly inherited from Gothic baurgs or borrowed from Old Saxon burg. Not related to Berg.
Burger (noun, m.)
1. A citizen, civilian.
2. A burgher; middle class person.
From Burg amd the agent noun suffix -er; see the former for more.
Burgermaister (noun, m.)
1. A mayor.
Compound of burger and maister; literally meaning "citizen master". Cf. German Burgermeister, Dutch burgemeester, Norwegian borgermester, Swedish borgmastare, Danish borgmester, etc.
Bus (noun, n.)
1. A bus.
Internationalism; clipping of omnibus. Cognate of many languages.
Busk (noun, m.)
1. A bush, shrub, thicket, etc.
2. (derogatory) The middle of nowhere, the sticks.
Borrowing from Old Norse buskr, in turn from proto-Germanic *buskaz. Perfect cognate with Danish and Norwegian busk, and near-perfect cognate with Swedish buske.
buten (adverb, preposition)
1. Outside, out of.
From Old Saxon butan, a variant of biutan, ultimately from proto-West Germanic *biutan. Cf. Low German buten, Dutch buiten, Luxembourgish and obsolete German baussen.
butenland (adverb)
1. Abroad (in another country).
Compound of buten and land, literally "outside/out of land". Cf. Dutch buitenland, Danish udenlands, and Norwegian utenlands.
Butter (noun, f.)
1. Butter (spread made from churned milk).
From Middle Low German bot(t)er, probably reinforced by German Butter. Cognate of English/German Butter, Dutch boter.
Cobai (noun, m.)
1. A guinea pig (animal).
2. (figuratively) A guinea pig (experimental subject).
Borrowed from Occitan cobai, in turn from Portuguese cobaia.
Conter (noun, m.)
1. An accountant.
From Cont(o) + -er.
Conto (noun, m.)
1. An account (bank or user account)
2. An account (tale, story)
3. Accountancy.
Borrowed from Old French conto, whence modern French compte. Ultimately from Latin computus.
contobar (adjective)
1. Accountable.
From conto + bar.
Cykel (noun, n.)
1. A cycle, a period.
2. A bicycle.
Sense 1 is a borrowing from Late Latin cyclus; sense 2 ia c. 1890s borrowing from Danish cykel, itself a borrowing from English cycle.
cykle (regular verb)
1. To cycle, ride a bicycle.
From Cykel + -e; cf. Danish cykle, on which it is based.
da (pronoun)
1. (demonstrative) Feminine form of that (used in front of feminine nouns; e.g. der Butter).
Dag (noun, m.)
1. A day (period of 24 hours).
2. Day (period of sunlight).
Inherited from Gothic dags, in turn from Proto-Germanic *dagaz. Cognate with English day, Dutch dag, German Tag, Old Norse dagr and descendants, and more.
dagleik (adjective)
1. Daily.
From Dag and -leik; see the former for more.
dauþ (adjective)
1. Dead.
2. (informal, hyperbolic) Exhausted, fatigued.
Inherited from Gothic dauþs. However, the main verb forms (dauþnan and diwan) and the noun (dauþus) no longer exist in modern Konigsbergesk, making this appear somewhat odd.
Del (noun, m.)
1. Part, share, portion.
From Old Saxon del, whence Norwegian/Swedish/Danish del.
denn (conjunction, adverb)
1. For, because, since.
2. (comparative) Than.
3. (adverb) Then, after that, in that case.
From Middle Low German denn, in turn from proto-Germanic þan.
der (article)
1. The (used for all plural genitive nouns; e.g. der Hundar, der Fruar, der Taimar).
2. (pronoun, personal) 3rd person singular masculine personal pronoun; he.
3. (pronoun, demonstrative) Masculine form of that (used in front of masculine nouns; e.g. der Dag).
Dessin (noun, m.)
1. A drawing.
2. A design.
Deverbal of dessine; cf. French dessin.
dessine (regular verb)
1. To draw, to sketch something.
2. To design, draw up.
Direct borrowing c. 15th century from French dessine; first person singular present indicative of dessiner, itself a borrowing from Italian disegnare.
Deþ (noun, f.)
1. A deed, act(ion), etc.
Inherited from Gothic deþs, in turn from proto-Germanic *dediz. Cognate of English deed, German Tat, Dutch daad.
Deþnes (noun, f.)
1. Activity, activities (collective noun).
From Deþ and -nes.
Deur (noun, n.)
1. An animal (any member of the kingdom Animalia).
From Old East Norse *diur, in turn from proto-Germanic *deuza. Cognate of English deer, German Tier, Swedish djur, etc.
di (article)
1. The (used for feminine nouns).
2. (pronoun, personal) 3rd person singular feminine personal pronoun; she.
3. (pronoun, demonstrative) Feminine form of this (used in front of feminine nouns; e.g. di Dør).
Diktionår (noun, m.)
1. A dictionary.
Þat Rign kvistde de Diktionår.
The rain destroyed the dictionary.
C. 15th century borrowing from Middle French dictionnaire (also masculine). Cf. archaic German Diktionär.
din (pronoun)
1. 2nd person singular possessive pronoun; your, yours, thy, thine, etc. Can also function as a determiner.
From proto-Germanic *þhīnaz, of the same meaning. Cognate of many languages, e.g. English thy, Danish din, archaic German dein, and archaic Dutch dijn.
dis (pronoun)
1. (demonstrative) Masculine form of this (used in front of masculine nouns; e.g. dis Diktionår
Dør (noun, f.)
1. A door or a doorway.
From Old Norse dyrr, in turn from Proto-Germanic *durz. Cognate of English door, German Tür, Icelandic/Faroese dyr, etc.
dreivan (regular verb)
1. To drive (operate a vehicle).
2. To push, to compel to go.
3. (noun, n.) An instance of the above verbs.
Inherited from Gothic dreiban, in turn from proto-Germanic *dribana. Sense 3 is a gerund of the verb.
drinkan (regular verb)
1. To drink.
2. (noun, n.) A drink (of any type).
From proto-Germanic *drinkana, possibly influenced by Vandalic drincan. Cognate with most Germanic languages.
du (pronoun)
1. Second-person singular personal pronoun; thou, you.
Inherited from Gothic þu, which persists in formal contexts. Probably morphed into "du" from surrounding Germanic influence.
duken (regular verb)
1. To duck, dive.
From proto-West Germanic *dukan, in turn from proto-Germanic *dukana.
dun (irregular verb)
1. To do something (execute an action).
1. (auxiliary, usually with dative noun) To do something (cause something to happen).
3. To place something.
From Proto-Germanic dōna. Cognate of all West Germanic languages, notably English do, German tun, Dutch doen.
Edla (noun, f.)
1. A lizard (animal).
From Old Norse eđla. Cognate of Icelandic eđla, Danish and Norwegian øgle.
ef (conjunction)
1. If.
From Old Norse ef, in turn from proto-Germanic *jabai. Partially displaced native Gothic jabai, which is now used to mean "whether" or "either".
efter (preposition, adverb)
1. After, afterwards; subsequently, following in time, later than.
2. For (seeking or in pursuit of).
With dative in prepositional use. From Old Saxon efter, in turn from proto-Germanic *after. Sometimes written as æfter due to a divergence sometime in the 14th century. Both spellings are considered acceptable, though efter is preferred as being closer to the original borrowing.
Eftermiddag (noun, n.)
1. Afternoon (time from 1pm to 6pm).
Compound of efter and middag; which is itself a compound of "midjas" (middle) and "dag" (day), making this a double compound.
Efterskaban (noun, m.)
1. Aftershave.
Calque of English aftershave.
ein (numeral)
1. (cardinal) One.
2. (noun, f.) One (as a digit or figure).
From Old Low German "ein", derived from Proto-West Germanic *ain and Proto-Germanic *ainaz.
Ekhorn (noun, m.)
1. A squirrel.
From Middle Low German ekhorn, in turn from proto-Germanic *aikwerno. Cf. Dutch eekhoorn, German Eichhorn, Swedish ekorre.
Elg (noun, m.)
1. An elk or a moose.
From Old Norse elgr; perfect cognate of Danish/Norwegian elg, cognate of Icelandic/Faroese elgur, Swedish alg, etc.
E-Mail (noun, m.)
1. E-mail, a system of electronic messaging.
Direct borrowing c. 1980s from English "e-mail", which is an abbrevation of "electronic mail".
E-Mailadresse (noun, n.)
1. An e-mail address (a virtual location in which e-mail can be sent).
From E-Mail + adresse.
Emotioner (noun, n.)
1. (collective noun) Emotions.
Deverbal of emotioneren.
emotioneren (regular verb)
1. To become emotional; have an effect on.
From emotioner +en.
End (noun, f.)
1. A duck, mallard (or the meat of the bird).
2. A canard (misleading report).
3. A bedpan.
From Old Norse ond, in turn from proto-Germanic *anadz. Cognate of Norwegian/Danish/Swedish and, Icelandic ond, Faroese ont.
Energie (noun, f.)
1. Energy.
C. 16th century borrowing from French énergie; cognate of many languages.
erloven (regular verb)
1. To allow/permit, to afford oneself.
From Low German erloven, in turn from proto-Germanic *uzlaubijana. Not related to love.
etan (regular verb)
1. To eat.
Inherited from Gothic itan, in turn from proto-Germanic *etana. Became regularised sometime during the 7th century.
Euro (noun, m.)
1. The euro, a proposed unit of currency in the European Union.
Clipping of English "European"; was the winner of a public contest in 1995 to determine the name.
Europa (noun, f.)
1. Europe (continent).
2. Europe (Greek mythology).
3. Europe (moon of Jupiter).
Borrowing from Latin from Latin Europa, c. 10th century. Cognate with many langages.
Fader (noun, m.)
1. A father (in the sense of a paternal figure).
2. (usually capitalised FAder) God, the father of creation.
Inherited from Gothic fadar, in turn from proto-Germanic *fadēr. The second A likely shifted to E under neighbouring influence; cf. Danish fader, Dutch and Low German Vader, and Standard German Vater.
Farin (noun, f.)
1. An accusation, reproach; instance of blame.
Deverbal of farinon; inherited from Gothic.
farinon (regular verb; -an ending)
1. To accuse, blame.
Inherited from Gothic fairinon, ultimately from proto-Germanic *firinona. No extant cognates.
faur (preposition)
1. For, on behalf of, directed at.
2. Before (spatial and temporal).
3. In favour, support of.
Used with accusative. Inherited from Gothic faur, in turn from proto-Germanic *furi. Cognate to Old Norse for-, German fuer, etc.
faurbuten (adverb)
1. Ahead, forwards, onward.
Compound of faur (for) and buten (out/outside).
Faurtaim (noun, f.)
1. The past (period of time that has already happened). Can also function as an adjective.
2. (grammar) The past tense.
From faur + taim. Cf. Icelandic/Faroese fortið, Danish and Norwegian fortid.
Ferja (noun, f.)
1. A ferry (boat).
2. (regular verb) To take somewhere, to carry, to ferry.
Borrowed from Old Norse ferja, in turn from proto-Germanic *farjo; cf. Icelandic ferja, Norwegian ferje. Not related to Gothic ferja (spy).
Figur (noun, m.)
1. A finger.
Inherited from Gothic figgrs, from proto-Germanic *fingraz. Cognate of English/Danish/Swedish finger, Dutch vinger, etc.
filu (pronoun)
1. Much, a lot of.
2. (adverb) Very, to a great degree.
Inherited from Gothic filu, of the same meaning, in turn from proto-Germanic *felu.
fim (numeral)
1. (cardinal) Five.
2. (noun, f.) Five (as a digit or figure).
Inherited from Gothic fim, either a variant or misspelling of fimf, from Proto-Germanic *fimf. Cognate of Old Norse fimm and descendants, Old High German fimf and descendants, Dutch vijf, English five, etc.
Firma (noun, f.)
1. A signature.
2. A firm, large-scale company.
C. 16th century; borrowing from Italian firma "signature"; likely acquired the second sense under international influence from firm(a).
Fisk (noun, m.)
1. Fish (animal).
2. Fish (the meat of this animal).
Inherited from Gothic fisks, in turn from proto-Germanic *fiskaz. Closest cognate with Danish, Swedish and Norwegian fisk.
Flugilmus (noun, f.)
1. A bat (flying mammal).
Inherited from Middle Konigsbergesk flugilmus; literally "flugil" (wing) and "mus" (mouse).
Flod (noun, m.)
1. A flood, deluge.
2. Influence.
Inherited from Gothic flodus, which initially meant river, but was displaced in this sense.
floden (regular verb)
1. To flood, to influence.
Verbal of flod.
Fotß (noun, m.)
1. A foot (lowest part of the leg).
2. (mostly dated) A foot (unit of length).
3. A base of something; similarly, a leg of a chair, table, stool, etc.
Inherited from Gothic fōtus, related to proto-Germanic fōts. Cognate with many Germanic languages, most notably English foot, German Fuß, Old Norse fótr and descendants.
Fotßbaul (noun, m.)
1. Association football; soccer.
Compound of Fotß and Baul; see each term for more specific etymologies.
Fourgon (noun, m.)
1. A coach (wheeled vehicle), wagon, truck.
Uses -s plural. C. 18th century borrowing from French fourgon, originally in its now-archaic sense of "wagon". The truck sense was initially limited to military use, but diversified into public parlance following the end of WW2. Cf. German Fourgon, of similar origin though different meaning.
Fr. (noun, f.)
1. (title) Miss or Mrs (no distinction is made).
Contraction of "Fru"; see there for further details.
fragå (regular verb, -a ending)
1. To be absent, abscond, go away, etc.
2. (noun, n.) Absence.
3. (adjective) Absent.
From "fra-", obsolete prefix denoting loss or destruction, and "gå" (to go).
fragiban (regular verb)
1. To forgive.
Inherited from Gothic fragiban; by surface analysis, from "fra-", obsolete suffix demarcating loss or destruction, and "giban" to give.
fram (preposition)
1. (with dative) From (starting point of time, movement or change).
2. (with dative) By, due to.
3. (adverb) Forth, forwards.
Inherited from Gothic fram, in turn from Proto-Germanic *fram.
framtaim (noun, f.)
1. The future (also functions as an adjective).
2. (grammar) The future tense.
Compound of fram and taim. Cf. Icelandic/Faroese framtið, Norwegian/Swedish framtid.
frei (adjective)
1. Free; unrestricted.
2. Politically independent.
3. Unblocked, free movement.
Borrowed from Old Saxon frī, in turn from proto-Germanic *frijaz. Cognate of Dutch vrij, German frei, English free, etc.
freisan (regular verb)
1. To liberate, set free.
2. (by extension) To save, rescue.
From freis (archaic form of frei) and the verb-forming suffix -an.
freisprekan (regular verb; noun, m.)
1. To acquit; find not guilty. Also a gerund.
Compound of frei and sprekan; literally "free speech".
friþ (noun, m.)
1. Peace.
2. (by extension) A peace treaty.
Inherited from Gothic *friþus, in turn from Proto-Germanic *friþuz. Cognate with German Friede, Dutch vrede, English frith.
Fru (noun, f.)
1. A woman.
2. A wife.
3. (dated, formal) Lady (in the sense of a lord's wife).
From Proto-Germanic *frawjō ("lady, woman"), via Old Saxon frūa and Middle Low German vrouwe. Cognate with Low German Fru, German Frau, Dutch vrouw, and Scandinavian frua. Originally "lady, mistress," the meaning shifted in different daughters: in Dutch and Low German to "woman" generally, in German also "wife," and in Scandinavian primarily "wife."
Fuh (noun, f.)
1. A fox (by extension, the fur of a fox).
2. A crafty, cunning person.
Inherited from Gothic fauho, in turn from proto-Germanic *fuho (vixen). Cognate with German Fahe, Dutch voo(i), Old Norse foa and descendants.
fullaweis (adjective)
1. Adult, mature, grown up.
Inherited from Gothic fullaweis, itself a compound of "fulla" (full) and "weis" (wise).
Furdel (noun, m.)
1. Advantage.
Compound of fur- and Del (part, piece). Cf. German Vorteil.
furneh (adverb, preposition)
1. Past, beyond.
2. (postpositional) Past (implying motion).
3. Over, finished.
From the prefix fur- and neh, "near" ("by" in the prepositional sense does not have a direct equivalent in Konigsbergesk). Cf. German vorbei, Dutch voorbij.
furwigan (regular verb)
1. To advance, to progress, to move forwards or past.
From the prefix "fur" and wigan; to move.