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

No notice was taken of Amy’s flight, except by her mates, but the sharp-eyed demoiselles discovered that Mr. Davis was quite benignant in the afternoon, also unusually nervous.

From Literature

One writer marveled at Osage girls who attended the best boarding schools and wore sumptuous French clothing, as if “une très jolie demoiselle of the Paris boulevards had inadvertently strayed into this little reservation town.”

From Literature

SAT Assam Rhino Reserve special exhibition of two young rhinos and their native neighbors, Asian brown tortoises and demoiselle cranes, opening celebration festivities, keeper talks, family activities, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

From Seattle Times

The exhibit shows how we all can help endangered species, and includes some neighbors in the rhinos’ wild habitat, Asian brown tortoises and demoiselle cranes.

From Seattle Times

The zoo’s new reserve will showcase the greater one-horned rhinos, also known as Indian rhinos, Asian brown tortoises and demoiselle cranes.

From Washington Times