Vervaagden

Vervaagden is the past tense form (imperfect) of the Dutch verb vervagen, meaning to fade or to become blurred. It is used to describe the gradual loss of clarity, visibility, or distinctness in objects, colors, images, memories, or perceptions, typically with a plural subject.

Etymology and meaning: vervagen is a native Dutch verb built from the prefix ver- plus a root related to fading or fading out. The sense encompasses both physical fading, such as colors or outlines becoming less sharp, and figurative fading, such as memories, distinctions, or impressions losing sharpness over time.

Usage and nuance: Vervaagden is common in descriptive writing and reporting when multiple items or subjects undergo fading. Examples include: "Tijdens de middagverlichting vervaagden de contouren van de bergen" (During the afternoon light, the contours of the mountains faded) and "Her herinneringen vervaagden na verloop van jaren" (Her memories faded over the years). The term can convey a sense of gradual diminishment rather than abrupt disappearance.

Grammatical notes: Vervaagen follows the regular Dutch verb pattern. Infinitive: vervagen; present tense: ik vervaag, jij vervaagt, hij/zij vervaagt, wij vervagen, jullie vervagen, zij vervagen. Past tense: ik vervaagde, jij vervaagde, hij vervaagde, wij vervaagden, jullie vervaagden, zij vervaagden. Participle: vervaagd.

See also: vervagen; vervaging (fading); vervaarde herinneringen.