Wirrwarr
GermanEdit
EtymologyEdit
From a reduplication of wirren (“to whirl”), from Middle High German werren, from Old High German werran (“to entangle, confuse”), from Proto-Germanic *werraną, *werzaną (“to twist, mix up, confuse”). Related to Proto-Germanic *werrō (“disarray, conflict, strife”).
PronunciationEdit
NounEdit
Wirrwarr m or n or f (genitive Wirrwarrs or Wirrwarr, no plural)
Usage notesEdit
- Wirrwarr is one of a small number of German nouns which can or historically could have all three genders; see the appendix. The masculine gender is most common; the feminine is rare.
Derived termsEdit
Further readingEdit
- “Wirrwarr” in Duden online