See also: zer, zêr, and żer

German edit

Etymology edit

Middle High German zer-, ze-, zu-

Assumed to be fused from er- and an old prefix ze-, already denoting an aspect of dissolvement and asunderness. The latter is probably cognate with Middle Low German to- of the same meaning. All are ultimately from Proto-Germanic *twiz-, from Proto-Indo-European *dwís, thus further cognate with Latin dis- as in English dissolve.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /tsɛɐ̯/ (official standard)
  • IPA(key): /tsɐ/ (more common; except when provided with emphatic stress)
  • (file)

Prefix edit

zer-

  1. (inseparable verbal prefix) asunder, to pieces, to bits
  2. (inseparable verbal prefix) to spoil by

Derived terms edit

See also edit