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fève

broad bean

noun FEHV Rare

Origin: Latin faba (bean)

Also means

lucky charm (in Epiphany cake)

Usage Note

Fève primarily means the broad bean (Vicia faba), but its most culturally loaded meaning is the tiny figurine or token hidden inside a galette des rois (Epiphany cake) on 6 January — whoever finds it becomes king or queen for the day. Collecting antique fèves is a popular French hobby called fabophilie.

Examples

"J'ai trouvé la fève dans la galette."

Natural Translation

I found the lucky charm in the Epiphany cake.

Literal Translation

I have found the charm in the galette.

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