bibelot

[ bib-loh; French beebuh-loh ]

noun

, plural bi·be·lots [bib, -lohz, beeb, uh, -, loh].

1. a small object of curiosity, beauty, or rarity.

bibelot

/ ˈbɪbləʊ; biblo /

noun

1. an attractive or curious trinket
2. a miniature book

Word History and Origins

Origin of bibelot¹

1870–75; < French, equivalent to bibel- (expressive formation akin to bauble ) + -ot noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of bibelot¹

C19: from French, from Old French beubelet , perhaps from a reduplication of bel beautiful

Example Sentences

Here are some words in Lydia Davis’ new collection of stories, “Our Strangers,” that she finds particularly interesting: “bibelot,” “egg,” “acknowledgment,” “fun,” “obnoxious,” “crepey,” “irregardless.”

From Los Angeles Times

Gewgaw, a shiny trinket Bon Voyage A trinket or a knickknack, an ornament, a kickshaw, a frippery, a gimcrack, a bibelot, a gewgaw .

From Washington Post

He finds it painful to see this memento of colonialism and bondage turned into an amusing bibelot, but he also loves the woman in whose household it is displayed.

From New York Times

He’s married but he wants her for his own nibbling, as a sexual bibelot.

From New York Times

A recent consultant’s report recommended creating programs to serve the “broader community,” even though it is packed with bibelot shops and satellite galleries.

From Washington Post