English

A crèche of Canada geese

Alternative forms

• creche

Noun

crèche ‎(plural crèches)

1. A representation of the nativity scene.
2. A hospital for orphaned infants; a foundling hospital.
3. A day nursery.
4. (marine biology) A group of young who stay together for protection.

Translations

French

Etymology

From Middle French, from Old French creche, cresche ‎(“manger, feeding trough”), from Late Latin cripia ‎(“feeding trough”), from Frankish *krippija, *kribbija ‎(“crib”), from Proto-Germanic *kribjǭ ‎(“crib”), from Proto-Indo-European *g(')rībh- ‎(“basket, net”). Cognate with Old High German krippa, kripja ‎(“crib”) (German Krippe), Old English cribb, crybb ‎(“crib”), Dutch kribbe ‎(“crib”), Danish krybbe, Swedish krubba, Irish grib. More at crib.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kʁɛʃ/
• Homophones: crèchent, crèches

Noun

crèche f ‎(plural crèches)

1. crèche (the Nativity scene)
2. crèche (day nursery)

Verb

crèche

1. first-person singular present indicative of crécher
2. third-person singular present indicative of crécher
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of crécher
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of crécher
5. second-person singular imperative of crécher