-elle

1. a noun suffix occurring in loanwords from French, where it originally formed diminutives, now often with a derivative sense in which the diminutive force is lost ( bagatelle; prunelle; rondelle ); also in Anglicized forms of Latin words ending in -ella ( organelle ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of -elle¹

< French < Latin -ella, feminine of -ellus, forming diminutives corresponding to stems ending in -ul- -ule, -r- ( castellum ), -n- ( patella )

Example Sentences

Elle magazine shot an editorial in September, one picture revealing a teacup pig sitting pretty by a mini Tyler Alexandra bag.

From The Daily Beast

I did a piece for Elle about the effort to remake her into an elegant presence fashion-wise.

From The Daily Beast

In attendance was supermodel Elle Macpherson and king of pop Michael Jackson, who also performed.

From The Daily Beast

Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards told her unapologetic story last month in Elle.

From The Daily Beast

Diane Lane is in it playing my wife, Elle Fanning plays my daughter, and Michael Stuhlbarg will play Edward G. Robinson.

From The Daily Beast

Ils me conduysirent en la plus grande cabane de toutes; elle contenoit bien 80 ames.

From Project Gutenberg

Or ne say-je quelle estoit sa maladie; si elle venoit seulement par intervalles, ou non, je n'en say rien: tant y a que le 2.

From Project Gutenberg

Car cette Republique estant tablie, ce sera elle pourvoir ce qui regarde le spirituel.

From Project Gutenberg

Ma chre M-elle Fanny,—Je vous prie beaucoup de me pardonner que je ne vous ai ecrit si longtemps.

From Project Gutenberg

Elle petitioned for a chair by her, and the three brothers were together on the opposite side of the table.

From Project Gutenberg