Rambouillet

American  

[ram-boo-ley, rahn-boo-ye] / ˈræm bʊˌleɪ, rɑ̃ buˈjɛ /

noun

1. one of a breed of hardy sheep, developed from the Merino, yielding good mutton and a fine grade of wool.

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Rambouillet ¹ British  

/ rɑ̃bujɛ /

noun

1. a town in N France, in the Yvelines department: site of the summer residence of French presidents. Pop: 24 758 (1999)

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Rambouillet ² British  

/ rɑ̃bujɛ, ˈræmbʊˌleɪ, ˈrɒmbʊˌjeɪ /

noun

1. a fine-woolled merino-like breed of sheep

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Etymology

Origin of Rambouillet

First recorded in 1905–10; after Rambouillet, town and forest in N France, source of the breed

Example Sentences

They were run by brilliant women — salonnières — including the Marquise de Rambouillet, Madame de Lafayette, Madame de Staël and Madame de Tencin.

From Washington Post • Aug. 19, 2020

French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing hosted the first one at Rambouillet, outside Paris, in 1975.

From Washington Times • Aug. 23, 2019

Cliff Hoopes’ crew would shear 700 per day for the next four days, collecting, if the summer graze went well, 10 pounds of wool off each Rambouillet.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 10, 2018

Estill and her husband John own thousands of sweeping acres in the northwest corner of California, where they graze cattle and Rambouillet sheep, a cousin of the Merino with exceptionally soft, elastic wool.

From Salon • Jun. 24, 2018

Of these two organized forces the H�tel de Rambouillet was 16 one, and the French Academy was the other.

From French Classics by Wilkinson, William Cleaver