des

¹ American  

[dey] / deɪ /

preposition

1. used in French names as a contraction of de and the article les: François des Adrets.

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DES ² American  

abbreviation

1. diethylstilbestrol.

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-des ³ American  

1. a plural suffix appearing in loanwords from Greek.

   proboscides.

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DES British  

abbreviation

1. Department of Education and Science

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DES Scientific  

/ dē′ē-ĕs′ /

1. Short for diethylstilbestrol. A synthetic nonsteroidal substance having estrogenic properties and prescribed between 1938 and 1971 to pregnant women with a history of miscarriage and other problems of pregnancy. It is no longer used due to the incidence of certain vaginal cancers and other disorders in the daughters of women so treated.

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Etymology

Origin of -des

< Greek, nominative plural of d- stem nouns

Example Sentences

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who met families of the Rue des Rosiers victims last year, said he had promised them everything would be done to put the suspects on trial.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Go to the Marché des Enfants Rouges in the 3rd arrondissement in Paris for fresh oysters and a cheese plate, or to the Marché des Carmes in Toulouse for some lamb chops and fried scallops.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

"The priority is getting those already there back home," said Alain Capestan, president of the French tour operator Comptoir des Voyages.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

Laurence des Carrs submitted her resignation to President Emmanel Macron, who said it was "an act of responsibility", French media say.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

This was followed by the premiere two years later of Cavalli's Ere ole amante in the Salle des Machines in the Tuileries, but the French had by this time developed a preference for ballet.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall