berceau

cradle

noun behr-SOH Rare

Also means

birthplace

Usage Note

Berceau is masculine, and its plural follows the standard -eau → -eaux pattern: des berceaux. Beyond the literal baby's cradle, it is used figuratively for the origin of something — le berceau de la civilisation ('the cradle of civilisation'). The verb bercer (to rock, to lull) is directly related.

Examples

"Le bébé dort dans son berceau."

Natural Translation

The baby is sleeping in its cradle.

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