heersen

Heersen is a Dutch verb meaning to rule, to dominate, or to prevail. It is used both for formal political power and for more general dominance or prevailing conditions. The term can describe a ruler or a regime, as in a country or region, but it can also refer to a mood, situation, or phenomenon that dominates a context, such as fear or uncertainty.

Usage and grammar. Heersen can be used intransitively with subjects that denote a prevailing condition, often translated as “to prevail” or “to be prevalent,” for example: Paniek heerst onder de bevolking. It can take the preposition over to indicate authority or control: de regering heerst over het land. The related adjective form is heersend, and the noun forms are heerschappij (dominion, rule) and heerser (ruler). The verb is conjugated as follows in the present tense: ik heers, jij heerst, hij/zij/het heerst, wij heersen, jullie heersen, zij/heersen. The past tense is heerste (ik heerste, jij heerste, hij heerste, wij heersten, jullie heersten, zij heersten). The voltooid deelwoord (past participle) is geheerst, used with has/have: Er heeft lange tijd geheerst.

Etymology and related terms. Heersen is etymologically connected to the words for lord or ruler in Dutch, such as heer and heerschappij. Related terms include heerser (ruler), heerschappij (dominion), and heersende (ruling, prevailing). The verb often appears in formal, historical, or analytical contexts to describe how power is exercised or how conditions dominate a domain.

In summary, heersen denotes the exercise or presence of power and the domination of a circumstance, with common use in politics, history, and descriptions of prevailing conditions.