waterwolf

Dutch

Etymology

Coined by Joost van den Vondel in Aen den Leeuw van Hollant (1641), a work of propaganda for draining the Haarlemmermeer. Compound of water (“water”) +‎ wolf (“wolf”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʋaːtərˌʋɔlf/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: wa‧ter‧wolf

Noun

waterwolf m (plural waterwolven, diminutive waterwolfje n)

1. (literary, Netherlands) water (personification of water as the national enemy)
2. (Netherlands) any body of water that is a threat to nearby land

Antonyms

• (antonym(s) of “personification”): landleeuw

Proper noun

waterwolf m

1. (literary, Netherlands) the Haarlemmermeer