gigogne

French

Etymology

17th century, proper noun in dame Gigogne (fictional character of a woman with many children); 1901, adjective in table gigogne.

Could be a deformation of cigogne, a bird known for its maternal love. Explained by others as derived from Latin gignere (“procreate”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʒi.ɡɔɲ/

• Audio (France (Toulouse)):

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Adjective

gigogne (plural gigognes)

Des poupées gigognes.

1. nesting (composed of many elements, each fitting in a bigger one)

   Synonyms: emboité, emboîté

   des tables gigognes ― a nest of tables

   des poupées gigognes ― nesting dolls

Derived terms

• lit gigogne
• poupée gigogne
• table gigogne

Further reading

• “gigogne”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.