herskab

Danish

Etymology

From Middle Low German: herschop, (lordship, dominion). The word merged with the native word hæskap from Old Norse hyski, hjúskapr, (family, household). Another possible etymological origin is from Old Danish hærskap from Old Norse herskapr. Danish: hær (army)

Cognates: Dutch heerschappij, German Herrschaft, Low German Heerschop, Swedish herrskap

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhæɐ̯ˌsɡæˀb/

Noun

herskab n (singular definite herskabet, plural indefinite herskaber)

1. A rich family, lordship (High social standing. Often have servants in the household. Polite form of address)
2. (sarcastic). A term used to be excessively polite to someone.

   Tjener! Kom herover. Jeg er sulten og du tager for lang tid ― Waiter! Come over here. I'm hungry and you're taking too long.

   Ja. Selvfølgelig. Nu skal jeg være der. Hvad ønsker herskabet? En buffet måske? ― Yes. Of course. I'll be right there. What does his lordship wish for? A buffet perhaps?

Declension

Declension of herskab

neuter gender	Singular		Plural
	indefinite	definite	indefinite	definite
nominative	herskab	herskabet	herskaber	herskaberne
genitive	herskabs	herskabets	herskabers	herskabernes

Derived terms

• herskabelig
• herskabsvilla

 

Further reading

• “herskab” in Den Danske Ordbog
• “herskab” in Ordbog over det danske Sprog