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antre

lair, den

noun AHN-truh Rare

Origin: From Latin 'antrum' (cave), from Greek 'antron'.

Usage Note

Antre originally described a wild animal's cave or den, and retains that sense, but is also used figuratively for a dark, mysterious, or unwelcoming place: l'antre du diable ('the devil's lair'). It is a literary or elevated word; in everyday speech tanière or repaire is more common.

Examples

"Le loup regagna son antre au crépuscule."

Natural Translation

The wolf returned to its lair at dusk.

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