douceur

[ doo-sur; French doo-sœr ]

noun

, plural dou·ceurs [doo-, surz, doo-, sœr].

1. a gratuity; tip.
2. a conciliatory gift or bribe.
3. Archaic. sweetness or agreeableness.

douceur

/ dusœr; duːˈsɜː /

noun

1. a gratuity, tip, or bribe
2. sweetness

Word History and Origins

Origin of douceur¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French: sweetness < Late Latin dulcor, with initial syllable reshaped under influence of French doux, douce; douce, -eur

Word History and Origins

Origin of douceur¹

C17: from French, from Late Latin dulcor, from Latin dulcis sweet

Example Sentences

Quand l'hiver fut pass, & que la douceur du temps allecha le poisson rechercher les eaux douces, on dpecha 170 des gens le 14.

From Project Gutenberg

The expenses of The Lantern—including a generous douceur to myself—were all defrayed by the Empress.

From Project Gutenberg

He has however a douceur for Ireland in his pocket; benefits in trade, by opening the woollen manufacture to that nation.

From Project Gutenberg

A greater douceur was expected from the drivers of such a magnificent turnout.

From Project Gutenberg

The Jew maintained his impudence to the last, coming round to my window, and then asking a few rubles as a douceur.

From Project Gutenberg