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zer-. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
zer-, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
zer- in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
zer- you have here. The definition of the word
zer- will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
zer-, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
German
Etymology
Middle High German zer-, ze-, zu-
Assumed to be fused from er- and an old prefix ze-, already denoting an aspect of dissolvement and asunderness. The latter is probably cognate with Middle Low German to- of the same meaning. All are ultimately from Proto-Germanic *twiz-, from Proto-Indo-European *dwís, thus further cognate with Latin dis- as in English dissolve.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /tsɛɐ̯/ (official standard)
- IPA(key): /tsɐ/ (more common; except when provided with emphatic stress)
Prefix
zer-
- (inseparable verbal prefix) asunder, to pieces, to bits
- (inseparable verbal prefix) to spoil by
Derived terms
See also