souterrain
See also: Souterrain
English edit
Etymology edit
From French souterrain, from sous (“under”) + terrain (“ground”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
souterrain (plural souterrains)
- (archaeology) An underground chamber or passage sometimes used as a store, especially one associated with Iron Age settlements.
- 1885, Sir Richard Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 11:
- Now when my son saw that I separated them, he secretly built this souterrain and furnished it and transported to it victuals, even as thou seest; and, when I had gone out a-sporting, came here with his sister and hid from me.
Dutch edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from French souterrain.
Pronunciation edit
Audio (file) - Hyphenation: sou‧ter‧rain
Noun edit
souterrain n (plural souterrains, diminutive souterraintje n)
French edit
Etymology edit
From sou- + terrain, based on the model of Latin subterraneus.
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
souterrain (feminine souterraine, masculine plural souterrains, feminine plural souterraines)
Derived terms edit
Noun edit
souterrain m (plural souterrains)
Descendants edit
- → English: souterrain
- → Dutch: souterrain
Further reading edit
- “souterrain”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.