verstandskies

Dutch

Etymology

From verstand (“intellect, wit, brain”) +‎ -s- +‎ kies (“molar”), a loose calque of Latin dēns sapientiae, itself a calque of Ancient Greek σωφρονιστῆρες (sōphronistêres).

The widespread popular supposition that it derives from ver (“far, distant”) + stand (“position”) + -s- + kies (“molar”) is incorrect; early attestations frequently cite the Latin or mention either its derivation from verstand or its synonym wijsheidstand; furthermore the suggestion is in disagreement with the pronunciation.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /vɛrˈstɑntsˌkis/, /vərˈstɑntsˌkis/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: ver‧stands‧kies

Noun

verstandskies m (plural verstandskiezen, diminutive verstandskiesje n)

1. (chiefly Netherlands) wisdom tooth [from mid 19th c.]

Synonyms

• wijsheidstand