| aide-de-camp |
a military or naval officer serving as assistant to a general or admiral. |
| Álvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca |
a Spanish explorer who, after landing on the cape of Florida in 1528 and being stranded in the Gulf coast region for 8 years, published an account of his survival and interaction with the native peoples under the title "La relación" (1542) (b.1490?--d.1557?). |
| bêche-de-mer |
a wormlike marine animal; trepang. [2 definitions] |
| Charles de Gaulle |
a French general and president of France from 1959 to 1969 (b.1890--d.1970). |
| chemin de fer |
a variation of the card game baccarat. |
| Cinco de Mayo |
the fifth of May, a Mexican holiday commemorating the Mexican army's 1862 victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla and celebrating Mexican unity and independence. |
| coup de grâce |
blow of mercy (French); a death blow or any finishing or decisive stroke or event. |
| coup de main |
blow from the hand (French); a surprise attack or sudden action against an enemy. |
| crème de cacao |
a sweet, chocolate-flavored liqueur. |
| crème de la crème |
cream of the cream (French); the very best. |
| crème de menthe |
a sweet, mint-flavored liqueur, usu. green or colorless. |
| Croix de Guerre |
a French military decoration for bravery in wartime action. |
| cul-de-sac |
a passage whose only exit is the entrance, such as a dead-end street. [2 definitions] |
| de facto |
actual, esp. as opposed to what is believed to be the case or what is formally acknowledged. [3 definitions] |
| de Grâve |
a French red or white wine. |
| de jure |
according to the law; by right. (Cf. de facto.) |
| de novo |
(Latin) from the beginning; anew; afresh. |
| de profundis |
(Latin) out of the depths (used to express great sorrow or misery). |
| de rigueur |
(French) required by fashion, custom, etiquette, or the like. |
| de trop |
(French) too much or too many; excessive or superfluous. |