Afrikaans

Noun

spruit ‎(plural spruite, diminutive spruitjie)

1. (geography) stream or small river, river branch, especially used in toponyms

Dutch

Pronunciation

Etymology

Cognate with English sprite, sprout.

Noun

spruit c ‎(plural spruiten, diminutive spruitje n)

1. (botany) A sprout, shoot, a branch-like part of a plant which grows from the rest
2. A child, seen as a parent's offspring, usually said of a minor

   Vader's spruiten waren muisstil als hij verscheen, want de eerst spruit die piepte ging over de knie

   Father's offspring was eerily quit when he entered, for the first kid to squeek went over his knee.

3. (construction) A style or beam which rests on another
4. A branch of a plumbing pipe, rope etc.
5. (geography) A small river, river branch, especially used in South African toponyms

Derived terms

• spruitjes (Brussels sprouts)
• spruitkool

Verb

spruit

1. first-, second- and third-person singular present indicative of spruiten
2. imperative of spruiten

References

• M. J. Koenen & J. Endepols, Verklarend Handwoordenboek der Nederlandse Taal (tevens Vreemde-woordentolk), Groningen, Wolters-Noordhoff, 1969 (26th edition) [Dutch dictionary in Dutch]