High Dutch

English

Alternative forms

• High-Dutch

Proper noun

High Dutch

1. (South Africa) The standard Dutch language, especially the literary Dutch language of the Netherlands, as contrasted with Cape Dutch or Afrikaans. [from 19th c.]
2. (archaic) High German. [from 16th c.]
   • 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author Studious to Learn the Language, the Houyhnhnm His Master Assists in Teaching Him. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume II, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part IV (A Voyage to the Houyhnhnms), page 188:

     The Emperor Charles V, made almoſt the ſame Obſervation, when he ſaid, That if he were to ſpeak to his Horſe, it ſhould be in High-Dutch.

   • 1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC:

     [H]is impatience increased, he swore in high Dutch, the noise of the wheels on his pavement saluted his ears, his vexation redoubled […] .

Antonyms

(antonym(s) of “High German”):

• Low Dutch
• Netherdutch

 

See also

(High German):

• Old High Dutch

 

Noun

High Dutch (uncountable)

1. (now rare) Double Dutch; nonsense. [from 17th c.]