char-à-banc

American  

[shar-uh-bang, -bangk, sha-ra-bahn] / ˈʃær əˌbæŋ, -ˌbæŋk, ʃa raˈbɑ̃ /

Or charabanc

noun

British.

plural

char-à-bancs

1. a large bus used on sightseeing tours, especially one with open sides and no center aisle.

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Etymology

Origin of char-à-banc

1810–20; back formation from French char-à-bancs literally, car with benches, the -s being taken as plural ending of word as a whole

Example Sentences

We engaged for the trip a double char-à-banc, with two stout little horses, and a brave homme of a driver, as our courteous landlady at Payerne assured us.

From The Hour and the Man, An Historical Romance by Martineau, Harriet

It is the Montgomery char-à-banc," she said, "and there are Mrs. Cartright and Tiny and Ila and Rose.

From The Californians by Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn

But there, comfortably and safely seated in the char-à-banc, was his bride—the sympathetic companion and sharer in his work of after years.

From Lord Kelvin An account of his scientific life and work by Gray, Andrew

Those are Jews,” continued he, pointing to a char-à-banc passing.

From Olla Podrida by Marryat, Frederick

I wish we were going on a coach instead of a char-à-banc.

From Sisters Three by Lloyd, Stanley