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Zwille. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
Zwille, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
Zwille in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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German
Etymology
Sporadically since the 16th century, regular use since the later 20th century. From Low German Twill, Twille, Twele, from Middle Low German twil (“crotch”), from Proto-Germanic *twizlaz, *twizlō, whence also Dutch twil (“kind of lath used in shipbuilding”). Alongside Proto-Germanic *twislaz, *twislō, whence the German doublet Zwiesel and Old English twisla (“bifurcation of a river”). The form Zwille, Zwele exists in a few High German dialects of the Low German borderland. It may have entered standard German thence or directly from Low German. In all these cases the zw- is due to secondary adaptation, perhaps by (etymologically correct) association with zwie-, zwei, Zweig.
Pronunciation
Noun
Zwille f (genitive Zwille, plural Zwillen)
- slingshot
- Synonyms: Schleuder, Steinschleuder
- (regional) Alternative form of Zwiesel (“crotch of a tree”)
- Synonym: Astgabel
Usage notes
- Zwille (“slingshot”) is often met with in the context of demonstrations and riots, especially by left-wing and right-wing extremists. For similar tools used by children the commoner word is Steinschleuder, at least outside of Low German areas.
Declension