Dutch edit

Etymology edit

From Middle Dutch cleinode. In the meaning ‘precious object’ it is earliest attested in 1240 [1] From 'klein' meaning small and -ood general noun forming suffix originally used to produce abstract non-tangible concepts but was later used for tangible objects. The word is only mildly rare with a recognition of 91 % in Holland and 88 % in Vlanders.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /klɛi̯ˈnoːt/, /ˈklɛi̯.noːt/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: klei‧nood
  • Rhymes: -oːt

Noun edit

kleinood n (plural kleinoden or kleinodiën, diminutive kleinoodje n)

  1. A small but valuable object or trinket.

References edit