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caillou. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
caillou, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
caillou in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
caillou you have here. The definition of the word
caillou will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
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French
Etymology
Borrowed from Norman caillou, from Old French caillou, kailleu, caillo, caliou, cailloun, calloun, related to Judeo-Old French chailos, chaillous and Old French chaille (“small stone, pebble”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from a Transalpine Gaulish *caljo- or less likely allied to Old Dutch kei (“stone”), from Proto-West Germanic *kagi.
Compare Picard cailleu, Walloon caie; also Dutch kei (“stone, rock”).
Pronunciation
Noun
caillou m (plural cailloux)
- gravel, small stone
Usage notes
Only seven words in French ending in -ou have their plurals in -oux instead of -ous: bijou, caillou, chou, genou, hibou, joujou, pou.
Related terms
See also
Further reading
Middle French
Etymology
Likely related to the origin of Old French gal (“small pebble”).
Noun
caillou m (plural caillous)
- stone; pebble