-elle

1. a noun suffix occurring in loanwords from French, where it originally formed diminutives, now often with a derivative sense in which the diminutive force is lost ( bagatelle; prunelle; rondelle ); also in Anglicized forms of Latin words ending in -ella ( organelle ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of -elle¹

< French < Latin -ella, feminine of -ellus, forming diminutives corresponding to stems ending in -ul- -ule, -r- ( castellum ), -n- ( patella )

Example Sentences

Two men and two women who were accused of helping the gunman who murdered Elle Edwards have been found not guilty of assisting an offender.

From BBC

Ronan has been praised for highlighting a reality women face while on the sofa and raising awareness of the "serious, ongoing thoughts women have on an almost daily basis" Elle writer Olivia Petter said.

From BBC

The same year, she told Elle she had “zero desire” to return to the runway, preferring photo shoots instead.

From Los Angeles Times

In some respects, Moss is a real-life version of her hero Elle Woods, the glamorous fictional lawyer from the “Legally Blonde” movie series.

From Salon

Model Elle Macpherson was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago but refused chemotherapy, opting for non-pharmaceutical care and a holistic path.

From Los Angeles Times