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hibou. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
hibou, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
hibou in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
hibou you have here. The definition of the word
hibou will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
hibou, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
French
Etymology
Eventually imitative. Possibly from or influenced by a descendant of Proto-West Germanic *hūō and/or Proto-Germanic *uwwilǭ. Compare Old High German hūwo, ūvo, (h)ūwila and, as a borrowing into Romance, Catalan òbila, òliba. If so, related to English owl. Compare also Latin būbo.
Pronunciation
Noun
hibou m (plural hiboux)
- owl (specifically, those species of owls with ear tufts; those without ear tufts are chouettes)
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.
Derived terms
See also
Further reading
Louisiana Creole
Etymology
From French hibou (“owl”).
Noun
hibou
- owl
References
- Alcée Fortier, Louisiana Folktales