demoiselle

[ dem-wuh-zel, dem-uh-; French duh-mwa-zel ]

noun

, plural dem·oi·selles [dem-w, uh, -, zelz, d, uh, -mw, a, -, zel].

1. an unmarried girl or young woman.
2. demoiselle crane.
3. a damselfly, especially of the genus Agrion.
4. damselfish.
5. Furniture. a lady's wig stand of the 18th century, in the form of a pedestal table.

demoiselle

/ dəmwɑːˈzɛl /

noun

1. Also calleddemoiselle craneNumidian crane a small crane, Anthropoides virgo, of central Asia, N Africa, and SE Europe, having grey plumage with long black breast feathers and white ear tufts
2. a less common name for a damselfly
3. another name for damselfish
4. a literary word for damsel

Word History and Origins

Origin of demoiselle¹

From French, dating back to 1760–70; damsel

Word History and Origins

Origin of demoiselle¹

C16: from French: young woman; see damsel

Example Sentences

Now, this Demoiselle Gautier, it appears she lived a bit free, if you'll excuse my saying so.

From Project Gutenberg

Married to a Demoiselle Chiffreville, of a family of celebrated chemists.

From Project Gutenberg

Gertrude approached me, and said in a low tone: 'Did demoiselle remark that we only mounted five steps after leaving the court?'

From Project Gutenberg

It has been said that D'Hugues was one, but the demoiselle's conduct for some time past renders that improbable.

From Project Gutenberg

With the duck come demoiselle cranes, curlews, storks, and sandpipers of various species.

From Project Gutenberg