char-à-banc

American  

[shar-uh-bang, -bangk, sha-ra-bahn] / ˈʃær əˌbæŋ, -ˌbæŋk, ʃa raˈbɑ̃ /

Or charabanc

noun

British.

plural

char-à-bancs

1. a large bus used on sightseeing tours, especially one with open sides and no center aisle.

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Etymology

Origin of char-à-banc

1810–20; back formation from French char-à-bancs literally, car with benches, the -s being taken as plural ending of word as a whole

Example Sentences

She would often ride over on horseback or drive in the char-à-banc to see us, and would spend whole days with me and my father.

From The Darling and Other Stories by Garnett, Constance

As it was she sulked, and when the char-à-banc arrived, although Irene beckoned her to a place beside herself and Peachy, she took no notice and waited till everybody else had scrambled in.

From The Jolliest School of All by Brazil, Angela

It is the Montgomery char-à-banc," she said, "and there are Mrs. Cartright and Tiny and Ila and Rose.

From The Californians by Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn

In the next carriage-house stands a gorgeous char-à-banc, presented to Her Majesty by Louis Philippe.

From The Idler Magazine, Volume III, April 1893 An Illustrated Monthly by Various

I wish we were going on a coach instead of a char-à-banc.

From Sisters Three by Lloyd, Stanley