caillou

French

Etymology

From Norman caillou, of uncertain origin. Compare Picard cailleu, Walloon caie. Perhaps from Dutch kei (“stone, rock”) or Gaulish cala.

Pronunciation

• audio

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• IPA: /ka.ju/, X-SAMPA: /ka.ju/

• Audio (Paris)

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Noun

caillou m (plural cailloux)

1. gravel, small stone

Usage notes

Only seven words in French ending with -ou have their plurals in -oux instead of -ous: bijou, caillou, chou, genou, hibou, joujou, pou.

Related terms

• caillouter
• cailloutis

See also

• pierre

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Middle French

Noun

caillou m (plural caillous)

1. stone; pebble