boezem

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch boesem, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *bōsmaz. This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbu.zəm/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: boe‧zem

Noun

boezem m (plural boezems, diminutive boezempje n)

1. bosom
   1. human chest (regardless of gender)
   2. female breasts
   3. (figurative) as the seat of emotion
2. body of water without a fully controlled water level, used for collecting water pumped out of polders before it is discharged into a major river or sea
3. atrium, sinus (body cavity)

Usage notes

The singular form is used, as a collective, to refer to a woman’s breasts.

Derived terms

• boezemdijk
• boezemmolen
• boezemvriend
• boezemvriendin
• de hand in eigen boezem steken
• inboezemen
• ontboezemen
• waterboezem
• zeeboezem

Descendants

• → Papiamentu: bus, boes