hangmat

From Dutch hangmat (which see), from Spanish hamaca, from Taíno *hamaka. Equivalent to hang (“to hang”) +‎ mat (“mat”) by popular etymology.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɦaŋ.mat/

hangmat (plural hangmatte)

1. hammock

From Spanish hamaca, from Taíno *hamaka, which changed to ham(m)ak and then, via hangmak, to hangmat, literally “hanging mat”. Modified by influence of hangen (“to hang”) +‎ mat (“mat”). This development is a case of popular etymology. The first attestation of such an adapted form is in a German text; it is nevertheless believed that the German form is indeed borrowed from Dutch. See Hängematte for more. Compare also English hammock.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɦɑŋmɑt/

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• Hyphenation: hang‧mat

hangmat f (plural hangmatten, diminutive hangmatje n)

1. hammock

• Afrikaans: hangmat
• → West Frisian: hingelmatte (calque)
• Swedish: hängmatta