châtain

First attested in the end of the 12th century; a back-formation from châtaigne, re-interpreted as a feminine adjective. Alternatively, inherited from Latin castaneus. The feminine châtaine is only attested since the second half of the 18th century; châtaine is also found as a non-palatalized alternative to châtaigne. Compare invariable marron.

• IPA^(key): /ʃa.tɛ̃/ ~ /ʃɑ.tɛ̃/

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châtain (feminine (rare) châtaine or (obsolete) chataigne, masculine plural châtains, feminine plural (rare) châtaines or (obsolete) chataignes)

1. (hair) chestnut, chestnut-coloured, brown
2. having chestnut hair, brunette

   une femme châtain(e) ― a woman with chestnut hair

This adjective is usually invariable in gender, most French speakers won't use the feminine forms.

châtain m (plural châtains)

1. chestnut brown

• “châtain”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012

• chantai

From Old French chastaigne, from Latin castanea, from Ancient Greek κᾰ́στᾰνᾰ (kắstănă).

châtain ? (plural châtains)

1. sweet chestnut