étrenne

See also: étrenné

French

Etymology

Inherited from Old French estreine, inherited from Latin strēna (“good omen, New Year's gift”). Compare Portuguese estreia and Spanish estrena.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /e.tʁɛn/
  • Audio (Canada (Shawinigan)):(file)

Noun

étrenne f (plural étrennes)

  1. (obsolete) the first sale of the day made by a shopkeeper, merchant etc.
  2. (rare) the first time something is used/worn/done
  3. (in the plural) New Year's gift; Christmas present (especially when talking to a child)
    Et que veux-tu pour tes étrennes? ― And what would you like for Christmas?
    • 1857, Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary […]‎[1], Paris: Michel Lévy Frères:
      Quelques-unes de ses camarades apportaient au couvent les keepsakes qu'elles avaient reçus en étrennes.
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)
    • 1894, Crafty, À travers Paris, page 14:
      Les gens prévoyants n’ont pas attendu le Ier janvier pour expédier leurs étrennes.
      The far-sighted did not wait until January 1st to send their New Year's gifts.

Derived terms

Further reading

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