culotte

underwear, knickers

noun kyoo-LOT Less Common

Origin: Diminutive of cul ('backside')

Also means

breeches, short trousers

Usage Note

Culotte in modern everyday French primarily means women's or children's underpants. Historically it referred to breeches worn by men before the Revolution — les sans-culottes were the revolutionary working class who wore long trousers instead. Baisser sa culotte can mean 'to back down' colloquially.

Examples

"Elle achète une culotte en coton au marché."

Natural Translation

She buys cotton underwear at the market.

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