-eren
Dutch
Etymology 1
The suffix results from an old plural in -er (cognate to German -er), to which a second plural ending -en was added. The single version can still be seen in many compounds such as kindertijd, and in the formation of plural diminutives (kindertjes, radertjes). The double suffix -eren is comparable to English -ren in children.
Pronunciation
Suffix
-eren
- forms the plural of a limited group of nouns: blad, been, ei, gelid, gemoed, goed, hoen, kalf, kind, kleed, lam, lied, rad, rund, volk.
- kind — kinderen
- “child” — “children”
- kind — kinderen
Usage notes
- The two nouns ending in -n interfix an additional -d- before the ending: beenderen, hoenderen.
- The three nouns ending in a single vowel + -d- lengthen the vowel: bladeren, gelederen, raderen.
Etymology 2
From Middle Dutch -eren, from Middle French -er or Old French -er, from Latin -āre.
Pronunciation
Suffix
-eren
- part of the infinitive of verbs borrowed mainly from French and Latin, e.g. informeren from French informer (“to inform”).
Etymology 3
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Suffix
-eren
- frequentative verbal suffix; indicating repetition
- Synonym: -elen