vlijm

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch vlime, vlieme, from Old French flieme (“open vein”), from Latin phlebotomus, from Ancient Greek φλεβοτώμος (phlebotṓmos). Cognate with English fleam.

Pronunciation

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Noun

vlijm n or f (plural vlijmen, diminutive vlijmpje n)

1. A scalpel (sharp small knife with single 3-5 cm long cutting surface as used for surgery)
2. A fleam or lancet (sharp instrument with two-sided, 1-3 mm long cutting surface, as used to open a vein for taking blood sample)
3. (figuratively) Any sharp or poignant organ, such as a tooth or snake's tongue

Derived terms

• gevlijmd
• vlijmen (verb)
• (knife types) laatvlijm n, slachtvlijm n
• vlijmglad, vlijm-hatelijk (adjectives)
• vlijmkoker m
• vlijmscherp (adjective).
• vlijmslag
• vlijmsnede
• vlijmspits
• vlijmsteek
• vlijmvis(ch)