algehele

Algehele is a Dutch adjective meaning overall or whole, used to refer to something considered in its entirety rather than in parts. It is formed from the prefix al- (“all”) and the noun or adjective geheel (“whole, entire”). In practice, algehele appears primarily in formal or written Dutch, including administrative, scientific, and business contexts.

The term frequently appears in phrases such as de algehele toestand (the overall condition), het algehele beeld (the overall picture), and in algehele zin (in the broad sense). It emphasizes totality and comprehensiveness, often in contrast to aspects or components. Algehele is related to other expressions like als geheel and in het geheel, and it tends to carry a stronger sense of totality than synonyms such as algemeen (general) or totaal (total) in appropriate contexts.

In everyday language, algehele is most common in formal writing or official reports, while in more casual speech speakers might use hele of helemaal to convey a similar idea. In mathematics or logic, Dutch typically uses geheel or gehele getallen to denote “integers,” so algeheel is usually avoided in those domains to prevent ambiguity.

Etymology-wise, algehele traces to al- (“all”) plus geheel (“whole”), reflecting its meaning of considering something in its entirety. The attributive form often appears as algeheel before a noun, as in algeheel verantwoordelijk, though spelling and usage may vary by style guide.

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