noun
der Weiler, –
hamlet
Eine sehr kleine Gruppe von Häusern auf dem Land, kleiner als ein Dorf.
Definition & meaning
A Weiler is a small settlement or a group of houses that is smaller than a village (Dorf ). It typically consists of only a few residential buildings and farmsteads. Unlike a village, a Weiler usually lacks a central infrastructure, such as a church, a school, or a pub. In English, this is equivalent to a hamlet.
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: Masculine noun (der Weiler). The plural form remains die Weiler.
- Word origin: The word originates from the Middle High German wīler, which is derived from the Old High German wīlari. This, in turn, traces back to the Latin word villare, meaning a farm or an estate (related to villa). It originally denoted a single farmstead that grew into a small cluster of houses over time.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- die Rotte (a common term in parts of southern Germany and Austria for a small cluster of houses)
- die Häusergruppe (a group of houses)
- die Ansiedlung (a settlement, though more general)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Der Weiler liegt versteckt im Tal.noun
The hamlet is hidden in the valley.
Ein Weiler befindet sich in den Bergen.noun
A hamlet is located in the mountains.
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