French

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Etymology

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Inherited from Middle French belle-mere, belle-mère. By surface analysis, belle- +‎ mère.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /bɛl.mɛʁ/
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

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belle-mère f (plural belles-mères)

  1. mother-in-law
  2. stepmother
    Synonym: (dated) marâtre
    Antonym: (dated) parâtre

Coordinate terms

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Further reading

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