oeil-de-boeuf

[ French œ-yuh-duh-bœf ]

noun

, plural oeils-de-boeuf [œ, -y, uh, -d, uh, -, bœf].

1. a comparatively small round or oval window, as in a frieze.

oeil-de-boeuf

/ œjdəbœf /

noun

1. a circular window, esp in 17th- and 18th-century French architecture

Word History and Origins

Origin of oeil-de-boeuf¹

< French: literally, bull's eye

Word History and Origins

Origin of oeil-de-boeuf¹

literally: bull's eye

Example Sentences

Booted and spurred, his sword at his side, his hat under his arm, he entered that darksome hall where on every face he could read the sentiments of hostility which he called forth; and yet he advanced with the same aristocratic ease with which he would have presented himself in the Oeil-de-Boeuf, or court circle, at Versailles.

From Project Gutenberg

The crowd, after leaving the hall of the OEil-de-Boeuf, had departed through the State Bedchamber, and the King's Great Cabinet, called also the Council Hall.

From Project Gutenberg

Sergent, standing in front of the door, leading from the OEil-de-Boeuf to the State Bedchamber, unfastens his scarf and waving it over his head, cries: "Citizens, this is the badge of the law; in its name we invite you to retire and follow us."

From Project Gutenberg

After having voluntarily exposed herself to all the anguish of the invasion of the OEil-de-Boeuf, the courageous Princess was with the Queen in the Council Hall, when the crowd, coming through the State Bed-chamber, arrived there.

From Project Gutenberg

The cort�ge reached the great staircase by way of the Council Hall, the Royal Bedchamber, the OEil-de-Boeuf, the Hall of the Guards, and the Hall of the Hundred Swiss.

From Project Gutenberg