essuie-glace

windscreen wiper

noun eh-swee-GLAHS Rare

Origin: From essuyer (to wipe) + glace (glass/windscreen)

Usage Note

Essuie-glace is a compound noun; the plural is essuie-glaces (though sometimes left unchanged in informal writing). French cars have a lave-glace (washer fluid system) to complement the wipers. In Québec French, essuie-vitre is also heard.

Examples

"Les essuie-glaces ne fonctionnent plus."

Natural Translation

The windscreen wipers no longer work.

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