sooterkin

noun

soot·​er·​kin
ˈsu̇tə(r)kə̇n,
ˈsüt-
plural -s
1
: an afterbirth formerly held to be produced by Dutch women
delivered of a sooterkin not unlike to a rat—John Cleveland
2
: something that is imperfect or unsuccessful
especially : an imperfect literary composition
fruits of dull heat and sooterkins of wit —Alexander Pope
3
archaic : dutchman

Word History

Etymology

probably from (assumed) Dutch dialect zoetkijn, diminutive of Dutch dialect zoet soot, from Middle Dutch soet

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Dictionary Entries Near sooterkin

sooter

sooterkin

sootfall

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Sooterkin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sooterkin. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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