midinette

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French midinette, from midi (“midday”) + dinette, diminutive of diner (“dinner”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌmɪdɪˈnɛt/
• Rhymes: -ɛt

Noun

midinette (plural midinettes)

1. A female salesperson, a shopgirl, especially in Paris.
2. A vacuous but fashionable young woman.
   • 2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage, published 2007, page 611:

     This? One finds them in every other midinette’s haunt, literally for sous.

3. A type of miniature climbing rose.

French

Etymology

Blend of midi +‎ dînette.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /mi.di.nɛt/

• Audio (Paris):

  (file)

Noun

midinette f (plural midinettes)

1. shopgirl, salesclerk, midinette
2. bimbo, midinette

Further reading

• “midinette”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.