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efter-

quickinfo

The prefix efter- derives nouns from other nouns. It is used for kinship terms. Derivation with efter- denotes a relative in a more distant degree than the one named in the base. An example is nicht cousin > efternicht second cousin.

General properties
Phonological properties

[+]General properties

In fact, efter- is more of a prefixoid, as it derives from the preposition efter behind. It creates nouns from other nouns, or to be more precise, kinship terms. A derivation with efter- denotes a relative in a more distant degree than the one described in the base. Examples of derivations with the prefix efter- are listed below.

Table 1

Base form	Derivation
neef cousin	efterneef second cousin (male)
nicht cousin	efternicht second cousin (female)
bernsbern grandchild(ren)	efterbernsbern great-grandchild(ren)

The prefix efter- can also be found in the now obsolete forms eftersus(ter)ling second cousin and eftertrutling distant relative.

Theoretically, there may be endless recursion when using efter-, but in reality forms like efterefterefternicht fourth cousin will be difficult find (cf. bet-).

[+]Phonological properties

The prefix is pronounced as [ɛftər]. In the derivations the stress is on the prefix, for example as EFTERneef second cousin).

extra

Literature

This topic is based on Hoekstra (1998:65).

References