trousseau
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of trousseau
1175–1225; < French; Middle French troussel, equivalent to trousse parcel, bundle (of straw, etc.), noun derivative of tro ( u ) sser to fasten ( see truss) + -el diminutive suffix ( see -elle)
Explanation
In olden days, a newly married bride would bring a trousseau, or a collection of clothing and linens, when she and her new husband moved in together. Traditionally, a young woman collected items for her trousseau for years before getting married, often with help from her parents. A newer, slightly less antiquated version of the trousseau is a hope chest, a wooden chest that is gradually filled in anticipation of a future marital home. The word trousseau is French, a diminutive form of trousse, "bundle."
Vocabulary lists containing trousseau
To Kill a Mockingbird
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Number the Stars
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In Cold Blood
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Wines made with Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, dry Rieslings, Trousseau Gris, Albariño and many others have been horning their way into the marketplace for the better part of a decade.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2018
Of the reds, most are diminutive and light-bodied, like Arnot Roberts’ spicy Trousseau and Sebastian David’s jangly, peppery Cabernet Franc “l’Hurluburlu” — served chilled, of course.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2017
The owner, Philippe Damas, owned and sold the wildly successful Le Square Trousseau, reportedly because it was too successful for him to enjoy.
From New York Times • Apr. 1, 2011
From the start, Hopital Trousseau "looked sinister"; the head nurse seemed like a heartless virago.
From Time Magazine Archive
Now attached to the key was a little card, on which was written simply the word, "Trousseau."
From Say and Seal, Volume II by Warner, Susan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
