raadsheer
Dutch
editAlternative forms
edit- raedtsheer (obsolete)
- raetsheer (obsolete)
Etymology
editFrom Middle Dutch raetshere. Equivalent to raad + -s- + heer.
Pronunciation
editNoun
editraadsheer m (plural raadsheren, diminutive raadsheertje n)
- a male councillor
- a justice (high-ranking judge) of either gender
- (chess) a bishop
Usage notes
edit- The sense "justice" is used of both genders (sometimes vrouwelijke raadsheer is specified explicitly, but not usually), although there are efforts underway (as of 2023) to introduce raadsdame as official legal terminology in the Netherlands.