chef-d'oeuvre

masterpiece

noun sheh-DUVR Rare

Usage Note

Chef-d'oeuvre literally combines chef (chief) and oeuvre (work). The plural is chefs-d'oeuvre (only the first element pluralises). In medieval guilds, it was the definitive piece a craftsman submitted to become a master.

Examples

"Ce tableau est considéré comme un chef-d'oeuvre."

Natural Translation

This painting is considered a masterpiece.

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