heemraad

English

Etymology

From Dutch heemraad (“village council”).

Noun

heemraad (plural heemraads)

1. (historical) In Holland, and, until the 19th century, also in Cape Colony, a council to assist a local magistrate in the government of rural districts.
2. (historical) A member of such a council.

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch heemraet (“village council”). Equivalent to heem (“home, (home) village”) +‎ raad (“council”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɦeːm.raːt/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: heem‧raad

Noun

heemraad m (plural heemraden, diminutive heemraadje n)

1. (historical) a village council
2. (historical) in the Netherlands, and also in Cape Colony until the 19th century, a council to assist a local magistrate in the government of rural districts; in the Netherlands with a particular focus on water management
3. a member of such a council

Synonyms

• (village council): dorpsraad
• (council for governing rural districts): heemraadschap
• (member of a heemraad): heemrader

Derived terms

• heemrader
• heemraadschap
• hoogheemraad