Ballast

See also: ballast

Dutch

Etymology

First attested as Ballast in 1738. Derived from Dutch Low Saxon ballast (“weeds”), here referring to a patch of overgrown land.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /bɑˈlɑst/
  • Audio(file)
  • Hyphenation: Bal‧last
  • Rhymes: -ɑst
  • Homophone: ballast

Proper noun

Ballast n

  1. A hamlet in Coevorden, Drenthe, Netherlands.

References
  • van Berkel, Gerard, Samplonius, Kees (2018) Nederlandse plaatsnamen verklaard (in Dutch), Mijnbestseller.nl, →ISBN

German

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle Low German ballast, a compound word the second part of which is Last. The origin of the first part is uncertain; several theories and possible paths of borrowing are discussed.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈbalast/, /baˈlast/
  • Audio(file)

Noun

Ballast m (strong, genitive Ballastes, plural Ballaste)

  1. (nautical or figuratively) ballast

Declension
Declension of Ballast [masculine, strong]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein der Ballast die Ballaste
genitive eines des Ballastes der Ballaste
dative einem dem Ballast, Ballaste1 den Ballasten
accusative einen den Ballast die Ballaste

1Now rare, see notes.

Further reading
  • “Ballast” in Duden online
  • “Ballast” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
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