wagon-lit

American  

[va-gawn-lee] / va gɔ̃ˈli /

noun

PLURAL

wagons-lits

1. (in continental European usage) a railroad sleeping car.

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wagon-lit British  

/ vaɡɔ̃li /

noun

1. a sleeping car on a European railway

2. a compartment on such a car

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Etymology

Origin of wagon-lit

First recorded in 1880–85; from French, equivalent to wagon “railway coach” (from English ) + lit “bed” (from Latin lectus )

Example Sentences

"The British have a wagon-lit to ourselves with all possible conveniences: there are several other wagon-lits and a dining saloon," he wrote.

From BBC

We were traveling in a wagon-lit from Germany to Paris.

From Project Gutenberg

And the wagon-lit, booked to Syracuse, calmly left stranded in the station of Messina, to go no further.

From Project Gutenberg

Bethune had wired that morning for a wagon-lit, a wise precaution as the train was packed.

From Project Gutenberg

Every wagon-lit in Berlin had been commandeered by the staff.

From Project Gutenberg