maître-mot

French

Etymology

Literally, “master word”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mɛ.tʁə.mo/ ~ /me.tʁə.mo/

Noun

maître-mot m (plural maîtres-mots)

1. watchword, byword, name of the game, key, keyword, guiding principle

Usage notes

Used with the definite article le.