verbrijzelen

Verbrijzelen is a Dutch verb that translates to "to shatter," "to crush," or "to smash" in English. It describes the act of breaking something into many small pieces, often with great force. The word implies a violent and destructive process, resulting in the complete disintegration of the object.

The term can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. Literally, it might refer to physically crushing an object, such as crushing a glass underfoot or smashing a rock. Figuratively, verbrijzelen can describe the destruction of abstract concepts, such as shattering someone's dreams or crushing their hopes. It conveys a sense of utter defeat or annihilation.

The etymology of "verbrijzelen" can be traced back to Old Dutch, with roots related to "brijzelen," meaning to crumble or break into small pieces. The prefix "ver-" often indicates a completed action or a thorough process, reinforcing the sense of complete destruction implied by the verb. The word carries a strong connotation of irreversibility; once something is verbrijzeld, it is generally beyond repair.