marcel

¹ American  

[mahr-sel] / mɑrˈsɛl /

verb (used with object)

marcelled, marcelling

1. to wave (the hair) by means of special irons, producing the effect of regular, continuous waves marcel waves.

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noun

1. a marcelling.

2. a marcelled condition.

Marcel ² American  

[mahr-sel, mar-sel] / mɑrˈsɛl, marˈsɛl /

noun

1. Gabriel 1887–1973, French philosopher, dramatist, and critic.

2. a male given name.

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marcel ¹ British  

/ mɑːˈsɛl /

noun

1. Also called: marcel wave.  a hairstyle characterized by repeated regular waves, popular in the 1920s

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verb

1. (tr) to make such waves in (the hair) with special hot irons

Marcel ² British  

/ marsɛl /

noun

1. Gabriel ( Honoré ) (ɡabriɛl). 1889–1973, French Christian existentialist philosopher and dramatist, whose philosophical works include Being and Having (1949) and The Mystery of Being (1951)

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Other Word Forms

• marceller noun

Etymology

Origin of marcel

First recorded in 1890–95; named after Marcel Grateau (1852–1936), French hairdresser who originated it

Example Sentences

The Harlem in “The Back Room” is a site for “fine gowns and tuxedos, marcel waves and glitter.”

From Washington Times • Jan. 15, 2020

My aunties would come to town from Chicago and get the marcel iron out,” she said.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2018

The cynical theatrical population dared the visitors to rearrange its smooth marcel into a prickly pompadour.

From Time Magazine Archive

He is 21, stands up to the plate in perfect style; his hair falls away from his forehead in a natural marcel.

From Time Magazine Archive

Daily called Collier's attention to the marcel waves beating on a fellow's shoulder over in the left-hand box.

From Continuous Vaudeville by Merrit, Hal