accouchement
the parturition process in human beings; having a baby; the process of giving birth to a child
atelier
a studio especially for an artist or designer
avoirdupois
a system of weights based on the 16-ounce pound (or 7,000 grains)
batiste
a thin plain-weave cotton or linen fabric; used for shirts or dresses
blancmange
sweet almond-flavored milk pudding thickened with gelatin or cornstarch; usually molded
cabotage
navigation in coastal waters
cachalot
large whale with a large cavity in the head containing spermaceti and oil; also a source of ambergris
chatelaine
a chain formerly worn at the waist by women; for carrying a purse or bunch of keys etc.
chervil
aromatic annual Old World herb cultivated for its finely divided and often curly leaves for use especially in soups and salads
Cheviot
hardy hornless sheep of the Cheviot Hills noted for its short thick wool
confrere
a person who is member of one's class or profession
cretonne
an unglazed heavy fabric; brightly printed; used for slipcovers and draperies
demarche
a move or step or maneuver in political or diplomatic affairs
demesne
territory over which rule or control is exercised
estaminet
a small (and usually shabby) cafe selling wine and beer and coffee
faineant
disinclined to work or exertion
girandole
an ornate candle holder; often with a mirror
gouache
an opaque watercolor prepared with gum
grisaille
chiaroscuro painting or stained glass etc., in shades of grey imitating the effect of relief
grosgrain
a silk or silklike fabric with crosswise ribs
guilloche
an architectural decoration formed by two intersecting wavy bands
impuissance
powerlessness revealed by an inability to act
matelote
highly seasoned soup or stew made of freshwater fishes (eel, carp, perch) with wine and stock
mignonette
Mediterranean woody annual widely cultivated for its dense terminal spikelike clusters greenish or yellowish white flowers having an intense spicy fragrance
milieu
the environmental condition
oriflamme
an inspiring symbol or ideal that serves as a rallying point in a struggle
oubliette
a dungeon with the only entrance or exit being a trap door in the ceiling
papillon
small slender toy spaniel with erect ears and a black-spotted brown to white coat
piton
a metal spike with a hole for a rope; mountaineers drive it into ice or rock to use as a hold
potpourri
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
raconteur
a person skilled in telling anecdotes
reseau
a net or mesh foundation for lace
sommelier
a waiter who manages wine service in a hotel or restaurant
tapotement
massage in which the body is tapped rhythmically with the fingers or with short rapid movements of the sides of the hand; used to loosen mucus on the chest walls of patients with bronchitis
