cul-de-sac
- a street, lane, etc., closed at one end; blind alley; dead-end street.
- any situation in which further progress is impossible.
- the hemming in of a military force on all sides except behind.
- Anatomy. a saclike cavity, tube, or the like, open only at one end, as the cecum.
Origin of cul-de-sac
Examples from the Web for cul-de-sac
Contemporary Examples of cul-de-sac
In other words, Todd Akin did not stumble his way into his cul-de-sac.
On the set, a hole was dug in the middle of a cul-de-sac, surrounded by dilapidated clay houses overlooking a shady canyon.
A magic kingdom, if you will, but within driving distance of your cul-de-sac.
Historical Examples of cul-de-sac
She knew of situations like that, the cul-de-sac of chastity, worse than any devised by a Javert.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
It is a labyrinth of winding alley often ending in a cul-de-sac.
The Cornwall CoastArthur L. Salmon
Suppose this one that she had chosen at random terminated in a cul-de-sac?
The Gold GirlJames B. Hendryx
It was only at rare times that he ran his head into a cul-de-sac.
The Place of HoneymoonsHarold MacGrath
Well, my mind has been wandering and stumbled on a cul-de-sac as usual.
Clair de LuneMichael Strange
cul-de-sac
- a road with one end blocked off; dead end
- an inescapable position
- any tube-shaped bodily cavity or pouch closed at one end, such as the caecum
Word Origin for cul-de-sac
Word Origin and History for cul-de-sac
1738, as an anatomical term, from French cul-de-sac, literally "bottom of a sack," from Latin culus "bottom" (for second element, see sack (n.1)). Application to streets and alleys is from 1800.
cul-de-sac
(kŭl′dĭ-săk′, kul′-)- A saclike cavity or tube open only at one end.