bezette

Bezette is the simple past tense form of the Dutch verb bezetten, meaning to occupy or seize control of a place or position. It denotes a completed action in the past. The past participle of bezetten is bezet, which is used for perfect tenses and in passive constructions (for example: Het dorp is bezet).

Etymology: Bezetten is formed from be- plus zetten (to place or set). The prefix be- adds a transitive sense, often marking a verb as affecting or occupying a thing or space.

Usage: The word is common in historical and political writing. For example: Tijdens de oorlog bezette Duitsland Nederland. The noun bezetting refers to the act or period of occupation (the occupation). The phrase de bezette gebieden (the occupied territories) is widely used in discussions of wartime events.

Grammatical note: Bezette is the simple past tense form of bezetten; bezet is the past participle used in perfect tenses and as a passive participle. The word can also appear in various sentence constructions to describe past acts of occupying or occupying a space.

Related terms: bezetten (infinitive), bezetter (occupier), bezetting (occupation or period of occupation), bezet (past participle/adjective in some contexts).

See also: Bezetting; Occupation of territories; Wartime occupations.