spijs

Dutch

Alternative forms

• spijze

Etymology

From earlier spijze, from Middle Dutch spise, from Old Dutch spīsa, from Latin spesa.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /spɛi̯s/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: spijs
• Rhymes: -ɛi̯s

Noun

spijs f or m (plural spijzen, diminutive spijsje n)

1. foodstuff in general

   De tafel was gedekt met allerlei heerlijke spijzen.

   The table was arranged with all kinds of delicious foods.

2. almond paste; (by extension) almond paste surrogate

   Dit brood bevat spijs.

   This bread contains almond paste.

   De spijs moet vloeien, zodat zij in de mallen landt.

   The almond paste must flow, in order for it to land in the molds.

Usage notes

• This is one of a number of historically feminine nouns that have undergone masculinisation in Belgian Dutch. It remains feminine in (very) formal Netherlands Dutch.
• The older form spijze is now in disuse in most contexts, although it is still encountered in prayers and sermons among some conservative Christians.

Derived terms

• amandelspijs
• appelspijs
• banketbakkersspijs
• banketspijs
• naspijs
• spijshuis
• spijskaart
• spijskoek
• spijsolie
• spijswet
• toespijs
• voorspijs

Descendants

• Afrikaans: spys