Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Douceur

‖

Douˊceur′

,
Noun.
[F., fr.
doux
sweet. See
Douce
.]
1.
Gentleness and sweetness of manner; agreeableness.
Chesterfield.
2.
A gift for service done or to be done; an honorarium; a present; sometimes, a bribe.
Burke.

Webster 1828 Edition

Douceur

DOUCEUR

,
Noun.
[L.] A present or gift; a bribe.

Definition 2024

douceur

douceur

English

Noun

douceur ‎(plural douceurs)

  1. Sweetness of manner: agreeableness, gentleness.
  2. (obsolete) Sweet speech: a compliment.
  3. A sweetener: a gift offered to sweeten another's attitude, a tip or bribe.
  4. (Britain) A tax break provided as an inducement to sell valuable items (especially art) to public collections rather than on the open market.

Synonyms

  • (sweet speech): See Wikisaurus:praise
  • (sweetener): See gift, gratuity, and Wikisaurus:bribe

References

  • Oxford English Dictionary, 1st ed. "douceur, n." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897.

French

Etymology

From Old French dolçor, from Late Latin dulcor, dulcōrem, from Latin dulcis.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /du.sœʁ/

Noun

douceur f ‎(plural douceurs)

  1. softness, tenderness
  2. sweetness

Related terms

Etymology

From French douceur ‎(“sweetness”), from Old French dolçor, dulcur, &c., from Latin dulcōr +‎ -em, from dulcis ‎(“sweet”). Naturalized in Middle English but treated as a French loanword from the 17th century onward.

Similar Results