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drijfveer. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
drijfveer, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
drijfveer in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
drijfveer you have here. The definition of the word
drijfveer will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
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Dutch
Etymology
From drijven (“to drive, move”) + veer (“spring”), possibly calque of German Triebfeder. From the second half of the 18th century.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈdrɛi̯.feːr/
- Hyphenation: drijf‧veer
Noun
drijfveer f (plural drijfveren, diminutive drijfveertje n)
- incentive, motivation, mainspring (something, usually physical, that motivates)
1761, Nadere redenen en oorzaaken van de jongste onlusten en nog heerschende verdeeldheden in het Vaderland, page 1:Indien de deugd de voornaamſte drijfveer is, die alle de raderen eener Gemeenebest-Regeering, — volgends MONTESQUIEU — in werking moet brengen, — dan is zeker Hij, die de meeste waare deugd bezit, de beste Patriot, de ſterkſte ſteun van het Vaderland en het algemeen geluk.- (please add an English translation of this quotation)
Synonyms