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moue. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
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English
Etymology
Borrowed from French moue, from Old French moe (“grimace”), from Frankish *mauwa (“pout, protruding lip”). Doublet of mow ("grimace").
Pronunciation
Noun
moue (plural moues)
- A pout, especially as expressing mock-annoyance or flirtatiousness.
1913, Jack London, chapter VI, in The Valley of the Moon, Book I:She glanced aside to the rim of the looking-glass where his photograph was wedged, shuddered, and made a moue of distaste.
1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter VIII:She made what I believe, though I wouldn't swear to it, is called a moue. Putting the lips together and shoving them out, if you know what I mean. The impression I got was that she was disappointed in Bertram, having expected better things […] .
2011 February 2, Hadley Freeman, “Should Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton be patriotic about designers?”, in The Guardian:Why do you wear European clothes?" fumed Oscar de la Renta with a moue of disapproval and stamp of his bejewelled foot (probably).
Usage notes
Often used in the phrase “make a moue”, influenced by French faire la moue (“to pout”).
Translations
Further reading
- “moue”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
Anagrams
Afrikaans
Noun
moue
- plural of mou
French
Etymology
Inherited from Middle French moue, from Old French moe (“grimace”), from Frankish *mauwa (“pout, protruding lip”). Akin to Middle Dutch mouwe (“protruding lip”).
Pronunciation
Noun
moue f (plural moues)
- pout, moue
1999, Anna Gavalda, “Ambre”, in Je voudrais que quelqu'un m'attende quelque part, →ISBN:– Et mon cœur ? Elle m’a souri et s’est penchée au-dessus de la table. — Il n’est pas déglingué, ton cœur ? elle a répondu avec une petite moue qui doute.- ‘What about my heart?’ She smiled at me and leant over the table. ‘Isn't your heart worn out?’ she replied, with a little doubtful pout.
Derived terms
Further reading