doolhof

Dutch

Etymology

doolhof

From dolen (“to wander, err”) +‎ hof (“court, garden”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈdoːlɦɔf/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: dool‧hof

Noun

doolhof m or n (plural doolhoven, diminutive doolhofje n)

1. a maze, labyrinth
2. (figuratively) any similarly complex and/or confusing construction, lay-out, situation etc.

   Wie vindt z'n weg nog in de doolhof van wetten?

   Who still finds his way through the maze of legislation?

Derived terms

• doolhofsgewijs

Related terms

• dool
• verdoold (adjective)
• binnenhof n
• gerechtshof n
• lusthof m
• neerhof n

Descendants

• → Indonesian: taman sesat (calque)