etui

or e·twee

[ ey-twee, et-wee ]

noun

, plural e·tuis.

1. a small, often decorative case, especially one for needles, toilet articles, or the like.

étui

/ ɛˈtwiː /

noun

1. a small usually ornamented case for holding needles, cosmetics, or other small articles

Word History and Origins

Origin of etui¹

1605–15; < French étui, Old French estui holder, noun derivative of estuier to keep < Vulgar Latin *studiāre to treat with care

Word History and Origins

Origin of etui¹

C17: from French, from Old French estuier to enclose; see tweezers

Example Sentences

The queen then returned, holding in her hands two very pretty portfolios for her drawings, and a very fine gold etui.

From Project Gutenberg

He stepped to his trunk, unlocked it, and took from it an etui containing a number of fans.

From Project Gutenberg