éclair

[ ey-klair, ih-klair, ey-klair ]

noun

1. a finger-shaped cream puff, filled with whipped cream, custard, or pastry cream, often coated with icing.

éclair

/ eɪˈklɛə; ɪˈklɛə /

noun

1. a finger-shaped cake of choux pastry, usually filled with cream and covered with chocolate

Word History and Origins

Origin of éclair¹

1860–65; < French: literally, lightning (flash), Old French esclair, noun derivative of esclairier to light, flash < Vulgar Latin *exclariāre, for Latin exclārāre, equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + clārāre to make bright, derivative of clārus clear

Word History and Origins

Origin of éclair¹

C19: from French, literally: lightning (probably so called because it does not last long), from éclairer, from Latin clārāre to make bright, from clārus bright

Example Sentences

And a second ride which Mr. Eclair soon afterwards took turned out equally successful.

From Project Gutenberg

Then each chose her own dessert, Dorothy taking a chocolate eclair, Edna peach ice-cream and Jennie charlotte russe.

From Project Gutenberg

The French authorities have given the name Feux-Eclair to flashing lights of short duration.

From Project Gutenberg

He had liver and onions and a chocolate eclair and felt that he needed a woman to look after him.

From Project Gutenberg

Chow broke in, bringing a lunch tray with milk, a hot chicken sandwich, and a chocolate eclair.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bread
• cake
• croissant
• doughnut
• phyllo
• pie