bijou

English

Etymology

From French bijou

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /biˈʒuː/, SAMPA: /bi"Zu:/

Noun

bijou (plural bijous)

1. jewel
2. a piece of jewelry, a trinket
3. a small intricately made metalworking

Adjective

bijou (comparative more bijou, superlative most bijou)

1. (of a residence) small and elegant
2. intricate; finely made

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French

Etymology

From Breton bizou (“ring”), from biz (“finger”).

Pronunciation

• audio

  (file)

• IPA: /bi.ʒu/, SAMPA: /bi.Zu/

Noun

bijou m. (plural bijoux)

1. a piece of jewelry

Usage notes

Only seven words in French ending by -ou, have their plurals in -oux instead of -ous: bijou, caillou, chou, genou, hibou, joujou, pou.

See also

• bijouterie
• bijoutier