cachet

American  

[ka-shey, kash-ey, ka-she] / kæˈʃeɪ, ˈkæʃ eɪ, kaˈʃɛ /

noun

plural

cachets

1. an official seal, such as on a letter or document.

2. a distinguishing mark or feature; stamp.

   Relentless innovation is the cachet of success in the business world.

3. a sign or expression of approval, especially from a person who has a great deal of prestige.

4. superior status; prestige.

   In that country, any government job has a certain cachet.

5. Pharmacology. a hollow wafer for enclosing a bad-tasting medicine.

6. Philately. a firm name, slogan, or design stamped or printed on an envelope or folded letter.

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cachet British  

/ ˈkæʃeɪ /

noun

1. an official seal on a document, letter, etc

2. a distinguishing mark; stamp

3. prestige; distinction

4. philately

   1. a mark stamped by hand on mail for commemorative purposes

   2. a small mark made by dealers and experts on the back of postage stamps Compare overprint surcharge

5. a hollow wafer, formerly used for enclosing an unpleasant-tasting medicine

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Etymology

Origin of cachet

First recorded in 1630–40; from French: literally, “small hiding place,” from cache cache + -et -et

Explanation

Certain high-end brands have a particular cachet, or respectability. People just know they are the finest of their kind. The word cachet comes from the French cachet meaning "seal affixed to a letter or document," and if something has cachet, it's as if it has a seal of approval from society. If you start a design company selling cachets for people to seal their letters with fancy wax, try getting some celebrities to endorse it. Then your cachets will have cachet — and that's fancy.

Example Sentences

“Not saying it’s ‘Sleep No More,’ but there really is an element of performance,” said Nicole Levinson of the Cachet Hospitality Group.

From New York Times • Sep. 6, 2017

Vikernes, 40, a well-known black metal musician in Norway, was arrested with his French wife Marie Cachet on Tuesday after her recent purchase of four rifles aroused the suspicion of police.

From Reuters • Jul. 18, 2013

Cachet, 25, had a legal firearms permit when she bought the four rifles, the official said.

From Reuters • Jul. 16, 2013

Cachet In Cambridge, Mass., federal narcotic agents searched an apartment.

From Time Magazine Archive

The law of Prairial was certainly much worse than Lettres de Cachet.

From Freedom Through Disobedience by Das, C. R. (Chittaranjan)

Related Words

• prestige
• stature