bijou

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a small jewel, ornament, or finely made decorative object

   A brass bijou hung above the old fireplace.

2. 2
   adj

   small, elegant, and attractively designed; chiefly British

   They rented a bijou apartment near the theater.

Borrowed from French bijou, 'jewel.' Its deeper origin is uncertain, though it is often connected with Breton bizou, 'finger ring,' from biz, 'finger.' English later developed the adjective for something small and elegant.

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