embonpoint
pronunciation
How to pronounce embonpoint in British English:
UK [ˌɒmbɒm'pwɒŋ]
How to pronounce embonpoint in American English:
US [ˌɒmbɒm'pwɒŋ]
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- Noun:
- the bodily property of being well rounded
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- Adjective:
- euphemisms for slightly fat
Word Origin
- embonpoint (n.)
- "plumpness," 1751, from French embonpoint "fullness, plumpness" (16c.), from Old French phrase en bon point, literally "in good condition." Often a euphemism for "fatness." Middle English had the phrase in translation as in good point "in good condition, healthy, fortunate" (late 14c.).
Example
- 1. The judge was a man of stately embonpoint who walked with a heavy step as he entered the courtroom .
- 2. Their physical resemblance would have been complete if an elderly embonpoint had not stretched mrs. archer 's black brocade , while miss archer 's brown and purple poplins hung , as the years went on , more and more slackly on her virgin frame .