bêche-de-mer

noun

ˌbesh-də-ˈmer How to pronounce bêche-de-mer (audio)
ˌbāsh-
1
plural bêche-de-mer or bêches-de-mer ˌbesh-də-ˈmer How to pronounce bêche-de-mer (audio)
ˌbe-shəz-,
ˌbāsh-
 : trepang
2
capitalized B&M : any of several English-based pidgins spoken on islands of the western Pacific

Word History

Etymology

French, alteration of biche de mer, from Portuguese bicho do mar, literally, sea worm

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bêche-de-mer was in 1783

Dictionary Entries Near bêche-de-mer

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bêche-de-mer

Bechet

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Cite this Entry

“Bêche-de-mer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/b%C3%AAche-de-mer. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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