Hof

/hɔf/ noun

Definition

A German word meaning 'court' or 'yard,' often used in compound words or place names. Also appears in surnames.

Etymology

From Middle High German 'hof,' related to Old English 'hof' meaning court, dwelling, or enclosed space. Common in Germanic languages with the sense of a central courtyard or farmyard.

Kelly Says

The word 'hof' appears in countless German place names and compounds, from 'Bahnhof' (train station - literally 'rail court') to 'Friedhof' (cemetery - 'peace court'), showing how central courtyards were to Germanic settlement patterns.

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