Adieux

/ˌædiˈuː/ noun

Definition

Plural of adieu following the French pluralization; multiple farewells or goodbye wishes.

Etymology

French plural of 'adieu' from Latin 'ad Deum' (to God). Retained in English when we borrowed the French word, creating an alternative plural to 'adieus.'

Kelly Says

English speakers can't decide whether to pluralize 'adieu' the French way or the English way, so we allow both 'adieus' and 'adieux'—this indecision has lasted 300+ years and shows how we respect borrowed words' origins.

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