nachtmerrie
Dutch edit
Etymology edit
From Middle Dutch nachtmerie, nachtmere, likened to merrie (“female horse”) through folk etymology; the actual formation is from nachtmare. Equivalent to nacht + mare.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
nachtmerrie f (plural nachtmerries, diminutive nachtmerrietje n)
- (also figurative) nightmare (bad dream)
- (obsolete, derogatory) ugly woman, witch