secretaire

American

[sek-ri-tair] / ˌsɛk rɪˈtɛər /

noun

French Furniture.

any writing desk resembling a secretary.

secretaire British

/ ˌsɛkrɪˈtɛə /

noun

an enclosed writing desk, usually having an upper cabinet section

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of secretaire

1810–20; < French secrétaire secretary

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.

See Examples For:

secretaire

Tucked between a George II mahogany breakfront secretaire bookcase and a series of manuscript and watercolor maps showing the waterways of Venice, Clausen found a type of antiquated nautical map known as a portolan chart.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2023

The independent judicial officer heard evidence and submissions from Fillol, who pleaded guilty, from the Stade Francais Paris secretaire general, Cedric Boudarel, and from the club's legal counsel.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 11, 2013

Scene:—The same; Mrs. Selwyn is discovered seated at secretaire writing; Grace looking over her shoulder.

From Three Hats A Farcical Comedy in Three Acts by Arthur Shirley

Then she pulled out a bunch of keys from her pocket, and tried them, one after the other, on the lock of the secretaire.

From A Charming Fellow, Volume III (of 3) by Frances Eleanor Trollope

Then, having first bolted the door of his room, he made a thorough search throughout the secretaire.

From A Charming Fellow, Volume III (of 3) by Frances Eleanor Trollope

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023