verstandskies

Dutch edit

Etymology edit

From verstand (“intellect, wit, brain”) +‎ -s- +‎ kies (“molar”), a loose calque of Latin dēns sapientiae, itself a calque of Ancient Greek σωφρονιστῆρες (sōphronistêres).^[1]

The widespread popular supposition that it derives from ver (“far, distant”) + stand (“position”) + -s- + kies (“molar”) is incorrect; early attestations frequently cite the Latin or mention either its derivation from verstand or its synonym wijsheidstand; furthermore the suggestion is in disagreement with the pronunciation.

Pronunciation edit

IPA^(key): /vɛrˈstɑntsˌkis/, /vərˈstɑntsˌkis/
Audio (file)
Hyphenation: ver‧stands‧kies

Noun edit

verstandskies m (plural verstandskiezen, diminutive verstandskiesje n)

(chiefly Netherlands) wisdom tooth [from mid 19th c.]

Synonyms edit

wijsheidstand

References edit

^ P.A.F. van Veen, N. van der Sijs, Etymologisch woordenboek. De herkomst van onze woorden, 2nd print (1997).

[1] P.A.F. van Veen, N. van der Sijs, Etymologisch woordenboek. De herkomst van onze woorden, 2nd print (1997).

[1]