English

Noun

idée mère ‎(plural idées mères)

1. A fundamental idea or guiding principle, seen as giving rise to something. [from 19th c.]
   • 1863, John Stewart Mill, Utilitarianism, V:

     The idée mère, the primitive element, in the formation of the notion of justice, was conformity to law.

   • 1868, The Saturday Review, 26 Sep 1868:

     M. Malot pursues this physiological development of his idée-mere with a good deal of skill, and it is, we think, the most interesting feature of his book.

Synonyms

• mother idea

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /i.de.mɛʁ/

Noun

idée mère f ‎(plural idées mères)

1. idée mère