hemelbestormer

Dutch

Etymology

Compound of hemel (“heaven”) +‎ bestormer (“stormer, one who charges/attacks”). Possibly a calque of German Himmelstürmer, which already appears in the 16th century.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɦeː.məl.bəˌstɔr.mər/

• Audio:

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• Hyphenation: he‧mel‧be‧stor‧mer

Noun

hemelbestormer m (plural hemelbestormers, diminutive hemelbestormertje n)

1. (figurative) iconoclast, someone who breaks taboos
2. (now uncommon, Greek mythology) Titan
   • 1614, Daniël Heinsius, "Lof-sanck van Bacchvs", in L. Ph. Rank, J. D. P. Warners & F. L. Zwaan (eds.), Bacchus en Christus. Twee lofzangen van Daniel Heinsius, Tjeenk Willink (1965, 1st ed.), page 152, footnote to line 418.

     5. Mimas] Een vande hemelbestormers oft reusen, by Horatius ende andere gemelt.

     5. Mimas: One of the Titans or giants, mentioned in Horace and others.