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étui

case, holder

noun eh-TWEE Rare

Origin: Old French 'estui', sheath

Usage Note

Étui refers to a small protective case or cover for an object — un étui à lunettes (glasses case), un étui de téléphone (phone case), un étui de pistolet (gun holster). The word is invariably masculine and was borrowed into English in the 18th century for a decorative needle case.

Examples

"Range tes lunettes dans leur étui."

Natural Translation

Put your glasses in their case.

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