nachtegaal

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Dutch

[edit]
Dutch Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia nl
Luscinia megarhynchos in Nederlandsche vogelen, 1770-1829

Alternative forms

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Inherited from Middle Dutch nachtegale, from Old Dutch *nahtagala, from Proto-West Germanic *nahtigalā.

Pronunciation

[edit]

Noun

[edit]

nachtegaal m (plural nachtegalen, diminutive nachtegaaltje n)

  1. the nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos (songbird)
    • 1946, Anton van Wilderode, “Ivoor en brood”, in Dietsche Warande en Belfort, volume 91, page 2:
      IN ITHACA ZINGEN DE NACHTEGALEN / boven de cederwouden bij de zee / die op de rotsen ruischt als aan cimbalen; / de sterren bloeien tot een wilde sneeuw.
      In Ithaca the nightingales sing / above the cedar woods at the sea / that rustles against the rocks as if against cymbals; / the stars bloom into a wild snow.
  2. (figuratively) vocal talent, born singer

Derived terms

[edit]

Descendants

[edit]
  • Afrikaans: nagtegaal
  • West Frisian: nachtegael, nachtegeal, nachtegeale

Further reading

[edit]