Achterste

Achterste is a Dutch term used to refer to the rear or hind part of something, most often the human body or an animal. As an adjective, it describes location at the back, for example in phrases like “het achterste deel” or “de achterste kamer.” In everyday language, the word can also function as a noun, though more common nouns for the buttocks or hindquarters are billen or achterwerk.

Etymology and form: the word is formed from het on the basis of achter meaning behind or at the back, with the suffix -ste to create an adjective or noun form indicating the rear position. In usage, achterste often appears in more neutral or formal contexts when referring to posterior position, while more colloquial terms such as billen or achterwerk are frequently used for the buttocks.

Contexts and related terms: in anatomical and zoological contexts, achterste refers to the posterior part of a body or animal, including the gluteal region in humans or the hindquarters in quadrupeds. It is typically contrasted with voorste, meaning the front or anterior part. Related everyday terms include bil, billen (plural), and achterwerk, which describe the buttocks or the butt end more specifically.

Usage notes: while achterste can be understood in many contexts, its noun use as a standalone referent to the buttocks is relatively uncommon in formal writing and may come across as informal or literary. For precise medical or anatomical descriptions, Dutch authors often prefer terms like bilen/botten or gluteale regio to specify the posterior region.

In summary, achterste denotes the rear aspect of a body or object in Dutch, functioning as an adjective in most contexts and as a less common noun with informal nuance when referring to the buttocks.