German

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Etymology

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From Middle High German zierlich. Equivalent to Zier +‎ -lich. For the semantic development from "decorative" to "petite, small", cf. klein.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈt͡siːrlɪç/, [t͡si(ː)ɐ̯lɪç]
  • Audio:(file)

Adjective

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zierlich (strong nominative masculine singular zierlicher, comparative zierlicher, superlative am zierlichsten)

  1. delicate; petite (of bodies or objects: gracefully thin or fragile)
  2. (archaic) decorative; pleasing; pretty
    Synonyms: dekorativ, schmückend, zierend, hübsch

Declension

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Derived terms

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Further reading

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  • zierlich” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
  • zierlich” in Uni Leipzig: Wortschatz-Lexikon
  • zierlich” in Duden online