perdu

1 of 2

noun

per·​du ˈpər-(ˌ)dü How to pronounce perdu (audio)
-(ˌ)dyü;
(ˌ)pər-ˈd(y)ü
variants or perdue
obsolete
: a soldier assigned to extremely hazardous duty

perdu

2 of 2

adjective

per·​du per-ˈdᵫ How to pronounce perdu (audio)
variants or perdue
: remaining out of sight

Examples of perdu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
And Nashville has Bad Idea, a wine bar with sharable Lao plates, plus a late-night menu that includes decadent pain perdu with kaya and caviar. Emily Wilson, Bon Appétit, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French sentinelle perdue, literally, lost sentinel

Adjective

French perdu, masculine, & perdue, feminine, from past participle of perdre to lose, from Latin perdere

First Known Use

Noun

1608, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perdu was in 1608

Dictionary Entries Near perdu

Cite this Entry

“Perdu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perdu. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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