Degen

Borrowed from German Degen, an occupational surname for someone who made rapiers.

Degen (plural Degens)

1. A surname from German.

• According to the 2010 United States Census, Degen is the 14838^th most common surname in the United States, belonging to 1997 individuals. Degen is most common among White (94.24%) individuals.

• Hanks, Patrick, editor (2003), “Degen”, in Dictionary of American Family Names, volume 1, New York City: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 425.

• Gen Ed, Gen-ed, Gen. Ed., gen ed, gen. ed.

• IPA^(key): [ˈdeːɡn̩]

• Audio (Berlin)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: De‧gen

Illustration of "Degen" from Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon (6th edition, 1905), showing weapons that in English would be variously classed as rapier, smallsword, broadsword or sabre.

Related to French dague, English dagger. The etymology of these terms is unclear. Some suggest that the French is a loan from the German, while others suggest the inverse. If taken from the French, the ultimate origin may be a hypothetical Latin *daca (“Dacian [knife]”); see Dacia.

15th century (degen, tegen, tägen, dägen, dim. däglin), together with Dolch replacing Middle High German mezzer (compare German Messer). From the 17th century, the meaning "dagger" is restricted to Dolch while Degen comes to refer to longer weapons, especially thrust-oriented dueling swords, by the 18th century referring to any sword worn as part of a uniform.

Degen m (strong, genitive Degens, plural Degen)

1. (obsolete) dagger
2. rapier, smallsword
3. (fencing) épée

• Mantel-und-Degen-Film
• Haudegen
• Stoßdegen
• Stockdegen

• Degengriff
• Degenklinge
• Degenschlucker
• Degenstoß

• Florett
• Schwert

From Middle High German dëgen, from Old High German degan. Cognate with Dutch degen, English thane, Icelandic þegn, Ancient Greek τέκνον (téknon).

Degen m (strong, genitive Degens, plural Degen)

1. (obsolete) hero, warrior, soldier

• Haudegen

• Middle High German: dëgenheit (“courage, bravery”), brūtdëgen (“husband”)

• “Degen” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
• “Degen” in Duden online
• “Degen” in Duden online