grachtengordel

Dutch

Etymology

Compound of gracht (“canal”) +‎ -en- +‎ gordel (“belt”).

Pronunciation

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Noun

grachtengordel m (plural grachtengordels, diminutive grachtengordeltje n)

1. canal belt; used mostly to refer to canal system of Amsterdam, and to lesser extent to similar systems in other Dutch cities.
2. (politics, figurative) alleged abode of the elite

Synonyms

• diepenring ("diepenring" is used to refer to the canal system of Groningen)