iceberg

noun ees-BERG Rare

Origin: Dutch or German 'ijsberg' (ice mountain)

Usage Note

Iceberg is used both literally (a floating mass of ice) and figuratively in the phrase la partie immergée de l'iceberg ('the hidden part of the iceberg'), equivalent to 'tip of the iceberg' in English. It is also common in French salad names: salade iceberg refers to iceberg lettuce.

Examples

"La partie visible de l'iceberg est minime."

Natural Translation

The visible part of the iceberg is minimal.

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