nachtegaal

Dutch
Luscinia megarhynchos in Nederlandsche vogelen, 1770-1829

Etymology

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

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈnɑx.təˌɣaːl/
  • Audio(file)
  • Hyphenation: nach‧te‧gaal
  • Rhymes: -ɑxtəɣaːl
  • Homophone: Nachtegaal

Noun

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

Descendants
  • Afrikaans: nagtegaal
  • → West Frisian: nachtegael, nachtegeal, nachtegeale

Further reading
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