1 bêche-de-mer | Definition of bêche-de-mer
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

bêche-de-mer

noun
\ ˌbesh-də-ˈmer How to pronounce bêche-de-mer (audio) , ˌbāsh-\

Definition of bêche-de-mer

1 plural bêche-de-mer or bêches-de-mer\ ˌbesh-​də-​ˈmer How to pronounce bêches-de-mer (audio) , ˌbe-​shəz-​ , ˌbāsh-​\ : trepang
2 capitalized B&M : any of several English-based pidgins spoken on islands of the western Pacific

First Known Use of bêche-de-mer

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for bêche-de-mer

French, alteration of biche de mer, from Portuguese bicho do mar, literally, sea worm

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on bêche-de-mer

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with bêche-de-mer

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!