Beffchen

German

Alternative forms

Etymology

    Via Middle Low German beve, beffe, itself (possibly via Middle Dutch) from Old French biffe (“striped fabric”). Compare Dutch bef.

    Pronunciation

    • IPA(key): /ˈbɛfçən/
    • Audio (Germany (Berlin)):(file)

    Noun

    Beffchen n (strong, genitive Beffchens, plural Beffchen)

    1. (Protestantism) preaching bands (a kind of neckwear worn chiefly by Protestant ministers)
      Coordinate terms: Jabot, Kollar
      • 1924, Thomas Mann, Der Zauberberg [The Magic Mountain], volume 2, Berlin: S. Fischer, page 329:
        Namentlich nachdem der junge Pfarrer, den Luise Ziemßen berufen, und der zu Hans Castorps Bedauern keine gestärkte Krause, sondern nur Bäffchen getragen hatte, mit ihm gebetet, nahm seine Haltung amtlich-dienstliches Gepräge an, äußerte er Wünsche nur in Form kurzer Befehlsworte.
        Particularly after the young pastor, whom Luise Ziemßen had called and who, to Hans Castorp's regret, had not worn a starched ruffle but only a preaching band, had prayed with him, his attitude took on an official, ministerial character and he expressed his wishes only in the form of short words of command.

    Declension

    Declension of Beffchen [neuter, strong]
    singular plural
    indef. def. noun def. noun
    nominative ein das Beffchen die Beffchen
    genitive eines des Beffchens der Beffchen
    dative einem dem Beffchen den Beffchen
    accusative ein das Beffchen die Beffchen

    Further reading

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