Dutch

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Pronunciation: /dʌt͡ʃ/

Definitions

1. Concerning the country of the Netherlands, its citizens, or culture ; the language spoken primarily in the Netherlands and parts of Belgium
2. Pertaining to anything originating from the Netherlands or its inhabitants ; the native Germanic tongue used by people in the Netherlands and some neighboring regions
3. Associated with Dutch nationality or cultural aspects ; the West Germanic language used as the official language of the Netherlands

Etymology: The adjective and noun "Dutch," meaning of the Netherlands, comes from a Germanic word meaning "of the people," the same root as German "deutsch." English once used it for Germans in general, and the meaning narrowed to the Netherlands only later, which is why "Pennsylvania Dutch" refers to German settlers. The lowercase slang "dutch," meaning a wife, is a different story. It is a clipping of "duchess," cut down to one syllable and made affectionate, as in the older phrase "old dutch."

Synonyms: netherlandish, hollandish