roofbouw

Dutch

Etymology

From roven (“to rob, take away”) +‎ bouw (“exploitation”), calque of German Raubbau.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈroːf.bɑu̯/

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: roof‧bouw

Noun

roofbouw m (uncountable)

1. excessive exploitation, of cultivated land or other resources; predatory cultivation

   Synonym: uitputting

   De protesten tegen roofbouw in de oerbossen namen toe.

   The protests against excessive exploitation in the primeval forests intensified.

2. overstraining.

   Met die levensstijl pleeg je roofbouw op je lichaam.

   You engage in rampant overstraining of your body with that lifestyle.