deugdzame

Deugdzame is a Dutch adjective meaning virtuous, morally upright, or dutiful. In contemporary usage the form is largely archaic or literary and is rarely encountered in everyday language. The modern standard adjective used for this sense is deugdzaam, with deugdzaamheid as the corresponding noun.

Etymology and form

The word is built from deugd, meaning virtue, combined with the suffix -zaam, a productive Dutch ending that forms adjectives describing a quality. The combination yields a sense closely aligned with “virtuous” or “moral.” The deugdzame form appears mainly in older or stylistically elevated texts and can be found in historical or religious writing to evoke a sense of traditional piety.

Usage and context

Deugdzame is typically found in historical, religious, or literary contexts. In modern Dutch, deugdzaam is preferred for plain, everyday usage. When deugdzame appears, it often carries an antiquated or solemn tone. It may be used in translations or in works aiming to evoke past speech patterns. For related concepts, see deugdzaamheid (virtue), zedelijkheid (decency), and integriteit (integrity).

See also

Deugdzaamheid

Zedelijkheid

Integriteit

Notes

As with many older Dutch adjectives, the form and inflection can vary with the noun it modifies, but today it is primarily of historical interest.