billet-doux

billet-doux
billet-doux also billet doux, 1670s, "love letter," French, lit. "sweet note," from billet "document, note" (14c., dim. of bille; see BILL (Cf. bill) (n.1)) + doux "sweet," from L. dulcis (see DULCET (Cf. dulcet)).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Billet-doux — Bil let doux (b[i^]l l[asl]*d[=oo] ), n.; pl. {Billets doux} (b[i^]l l[asl]*d[=oo]z ). [F. billet note + doux sweet, L. dulcis.] A love letter or note. [1913 Webster] A lover chanting out a billet doux. Spectator. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • billet-doux — ► NOUN (pl. billets doux) dated or humorous ▪ a love letter. ORIGIN French, sweet note …   English terms dictionary

  • billet-doux — [bē΄yā do͞o′, bil΄ādo͞o] n. pl. billets doux [bē΄yā do͞o′, bil΄ā do͞o′; bē΄yādo͞oz′, bil΄ādo͞oz′] [Fr, lit., sweet letter] a love letter …   English World dictionary

  • Billet doux — ● Billet doux lettre d amour …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • billet-doux — UK [ˌbɪleɪ ˈduː] / US [ˌbɪleɪ ˈdu] noun [countable] Word forms billet doux : singular billet doux plural billets doux UK [ˌbɪleɪ ˈduːz] / US [ˌbɪleɪˈduz] literary a letter expressing your love for someone …   English dictionary

  • billet-doux — noun (plural billets doux) Etymology: French billet doux, literally, sweet letter Date: 1673 a love letter …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • billet-doux — bil|let doux [ ,bıleı du ] (plural bil|lets doux [ ,bıleı duz ] ) noun count LITERARY a letter expressing your love for someone …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • billet-doux — bil•let doux [[t]ˈbɪl eɪˈdu, ˈbɪl i [/t]] n. pl. bil•lets doux [[t]ˈbɪl eɪˈduz, ˈdu, ˈbɪl i [/t]] a love letter • Etymology: 1665–75; < F …   From formal English to slang

  • billet-doux — /bil ay dooh , bil ee /; Fr. /bee yay dooh /, n., pl. billets doux /bil ay doohz , bil ee /; Fr. /bee yay dooh /. a love letter. [1665 75; < F: lit., sweet note. See BILLET1, DOUCE] * * * …   Universalium

  • billet-doux —  (Fr.) Love letter; pl. billets doux …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

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