Where does “scherpzinnig” come from?

scherpzinnig (Dutch) comes from Dutch scherp, from Middle Dutch scharp, from Old Dutch skarp, from Proto-Germanic skarpaz, from Proto-Indo-European (s)kerb-, from Proto-Indo-European sḱer- — to caw, crow.

scherpzinnig (Dutch): perspicacious, astute

Definitions

  1. perspicacious, astute

Ancestry of “scherpzinnig”, step by step

scherpzinnig traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Dutch scherp

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchscherpsharp, able to cut easily; alert, on the ball;...
2Middle Dutchscharpsharp; rough, harsh to the skin; fierce, intense
3Old Dutchskarp—
4Proto-Germanicskarpazrough
5Proto-Indo-European(s)kerb-rough, sharp
6Proto-Indo-Europeansḱer-to caw, crow

via Dutch zinnig

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Dutchzinnigrational, reasonable; intelligent, smart;...
2Middle Dutchsinnich—

Words derived from “scherpzinnig”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European sḱer- →
scherpzinnig — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer