deerne
Dutch edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Middle Dutch dierne, from Old Dutch thiorna, from Proto-West Germanic *þewernā.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
deerne f (plural deernen or deernes, diminutive deerntje n)
- (endearing in some areas, derogatory in others) girl
- (derogatory) promiscuous woman
- (archaic) maidservant, maid
Usage notes edit
- The word is current in the eastern Netherlands. Speakers from other areas, especially the Randstad, may consider the term old-fashioned or literary.