inconnu

American  

[in-kuh-noo, -nyoo, ing-, an-kaw-ny] / ˌɪn kəˈnu, -ˈnyu, ˌɪŋ-, ɛ̃ kɔˈnü /

noun

plural

inconnus, inconnu

1. a person who is unknown; stranger.

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

---

inconnu British  

/ ˈɪnkənuː /

noun

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

---

Etymology

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; cognition

Example Sentences

Nearly overnight, Jimmy went from an inconnu to welcome everywhere in town.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2023

Le Chef-d’oeuvre inconnu 1, 2011 by Richard Hamilton, featuring Poussin, Courbet and Titian and ’resonant with respect for these great forbears’.

From The Guardian • Oct. 13, 2012

Le Chef-d'oeuvre inconnu 1, 2011 by Richard Hamilton.

From The Guardian • Oct. 13, 2012

Edith murmured a conventional "Thanks, loads—cut in later," to the inconnu.

From Tales of the Jazz Age by Fitzgerald, F. Scott (Francis Scott)

"Eh bien! cette l'ami inconnu must be content to lodge with John; we can do no better."

From The Haunted Homestead A Novel by Southworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte