1605–15; < French étui, Old French estui holder, noun derivative of estuier to keep < Vulgar Latin *studiāre to treat with care
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On the other hand, Bach is a disarming small-talker; a rememberer of birthdays; a collector of personal factoids he jots onto slips of paper and carries in an etui for later use.
From New York Times • Jul. 20, 2021
"I will accept this etui," she said smiling, "but will not open it while we are together, for fear we might again disagree."
From Frederick the Great and His Court by Mühlbach, L. (Luise)
At this moment, a bullet struck the king in the breast, but the golden etui which the king carried in his pocket, had turned it aside, and thus saved his life.
From Frederick the Great and His Family by Coleman, Chapman, Mrs.
He stepped to his trunk, unlocked it, and took from it an etui containing a number of fans.
From Frederick the Great and His Family by Coleman, Chapman, Mrs.
"What think you I have in this etui, dear?" she said, coming forward, and bending over her son to bestow a kiss.
From Joseph II. and His Court by Mühlbach, L. (Luise)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
