a town of Belgium, in the province of Limburg, on the Geer, 12 miles S.W. of Maestricht. It is of great antiquity, and was once a large town. The principal church, built in 1240, is said to have been the first north of the Alps dedicated to the Virgin. There are five chapels, a town-hall, court-house, hospital, several schools and convents. Brewing, distilling, tanning, bleaching, and dyeing, the manufacture of hats, chicory, candles, bricks and tiles, are carried on here. In the neighbourhood is a mineral spring, with medicinal properties, which was known as early as the time of Pliny. Pop. 6180.