inconnu

[in-kuh-noo, -nyoo, ing-; French an-kaw-ny]

noun, plural in·con·nus [in-kuh-nooz, -nyooz, ing-; French an-kaw-ny] /ˌɪn kəˈnuz, -ˈnyuz, ˌɪŋ-; French ɛ̃ kɔˈnü/, (especially collectively for 2) in·con·nu.

a person who is unknown; stranger.

Also called sheefish. a game fish, Stenodus leucichthys, of fresh or brackish northern waters.

Origin of inconnu

1800–10; < French: literally, unknown, equivalent to in- in-³ + connu, past participle of connaître to know, be acquainted with < Latin cognōscere; see cognition

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inconnu

Historical Examples of inconnu

The whole proportion is denounced by several men of standing and experience, none of whom are "inconnu."
Our Vanishing Wild Life
William T. Hornaday
This is probably the earliest notice of the inconnu, Stenodus Mackenzii (Richardson).
A Journey from Prince of Wales's Fort in Hudson's Bay to the Northern Ocean in the Years 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772
Samuel Hearne
I tell you that Captain 'Inconnu' came to your cave on the same errand that brought his lieutenant here.
Tried for Her Life
Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth
Other members of the band joined them at the meal, and Captain Inconnu and Gentiliska did the honors.
Tried for Her Life
Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth
But Captain Inconnu vouchsafed neither word nor glance to his son, and no other one presumed to present him to the lady guest.
Tried for Her Life
Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth

British Dictionary definitions for inconnu

inconnu

noun

a North American freshwater food and game fish, Stenodus leucichthys, related to the salmon

Word Origin for inconnu

C19: from French, literally: unknown

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012