hemelbestormer

Dutch edit

Etymology edit

Compound of hemel (“heaven”) +‎ bestormer (“stormer, one who charges/attacks”). Possibly a calque of German Himmelstürmer, which already appears in the 16th century.

Pronunciation edit

IPA^(key): /ˈɦeː.məl.bəˌstɔr.mər/
Audio (file)
Hyphenation: he‧mel‧be‧stor‧mer

Noun edit

hemelbestormer m (plural hemelbestormers, diminutive hemelbestormertje n)

(figurative) iconoclast, someone who breaks taboos
(now uncommon, Greek mythology) Titan
- 1614, Daniël Heinsius, "Lof-sanck van Bacchvs", in L. Ph. Rank, J. D. P. Warners & F. L. Zwaan (eds.), Bacchus en Christus. Twee lofzangen van Daniel Heinsius, Tjeenk Willink (1965, 1st ed.), page 152, footnote to line 418.
  5. Mimas] Een vande hemelbestormers oft reusen, by Horatius ende andere gemelt.
  5. Mimas: One of the Titans or giants, mentioned in Horace and others.