-lijn

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch -line (such as vogheline (little bird)), and it initially arose from -ing in words ending in -l. Cognate to German -lein (possibly influenced by the High German forms).

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Suffix

-lijn

  1. (obsolete) suffix used to create a diminutive form; e.g., vogelvogelijn

Usage notes

No longer productive, but still found in a small number of fixed diminutives, like parelijn (little pearl), lievelijn (sweetie), maagdelijn (virgin; maiden, girl), sterrelijn (little star), vendelijn (small flag), vogelijn (little bird) and Duimelijntje (Thumbelina).

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