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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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