ENGLISH
REFERENCE

flemish

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈfɫɛmɪʃ// flem·ish

adj. relating to Flanders, a region in Belgium, or the people and language from there. You use it to describe things like art, food, or history from that area.

adj. relating to Flanders, its inhabitants, or their Dutch dialect. Often used to describe the distinct school of painting that emerged in the region during the 15th to 17th centuries.


SIMPLE

The museum has a beautiful collection of Flemish paintings.

CONTEXTUAL

During our trip to Antwerp, we enjoyed traditional Flemish stew at a local restaurant.

COMPLEX

Art historians often distinguish between the meticulous realism of Flemish masters and the more idealized forms found in the Italian Renaissance of the same period.

Origin

From Middle English flemmysshe, from Old English flēmisc, from Old Frisian flāmisk, derived from Proto-Germanic flaumaz (“flowing, current water”) and -iskaz. Equivalent to English fleam + -ish. More at Flanders.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun. When referring to the language, it is treated as a proper noun.

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