cure-dent
toothpick
noun kyoor-DAHN Rare
Origin: Compound of curer ('to clean') + dent ('tooth').
Usage Note
Cure-dent (also written cure-dents) is the standard French word for a toothpick. The plural cure-dents is more common than the singular, as toothpicks are usually encountered in a pack. The compound is transparent: curer ('to clean') plus dent ('tooth').
Examples
"Il utilise un cure-dent après le repas."
Natural Translation
He uses a toothpick after the meal.
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