plumeau
The English phrase duster translates to French as plumeau.
The word plumeau refers to an object used for dusting. If you want to use the verb meaning to dust, use épousseter.
Meaning: object used for dusting (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term plumeau is derived from the word plume, which means feather.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the term Plumet is used instead of plumeau to refer to a feather duster.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form of plumeau, use plumeaux.
Did you know?
- In traditional French military dress, a plumet is not a cleaning tool but a decorative plume of feathers worn on a helmet.
- The English word 'plume' is a direct loanword from the French plume, which is the core root of plumeau.
- While plumeau refers to a feather duster, the French use chiffon à poussière for a cloth duster. Using plumeau to describe a rag would be a mistake.
Examples in context
- Une femme de chambre attend devant la porte, un plumeau à la main.A chambermaid holding a duster is waiting outside the door.This sentence shows a chambermaid holding a plumeau while waiting outside a door.Tatoeba #12714790 by lbdx, translation #11866830 by sundown
- Où est le plumeau ?Where is the duster?
- Elle utilise un plumeau pour les étagères.She uses a duster for the shelves.
Example conversation
Hugo is cleaning the living room while Manon helps him.
- ManonHugo, as-tu vu mon plumeau ?Hugo, have you seen my duster?
- HugoNon, mais je peux t'aider à chercher.No, but I can help you look for it.
- ManonIl est peut-être sous le canapé.It might be under the sofa.
- HugoAh, le voilà, il était par terre !Ah, there it is, it was on the floor!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
