Bandeaux

/bænˈdoʊz/ noun

Definition

The traditional French plural of bandeau; multiple strips of fabric worn as headpieces or band-like garments.

Etymology

French plural form where -eau changes to -eaux (like beau/beaux). This reflects Old French phonetic rules that English speakers often abandon in favor of simpler '-s' endings.

Kelly Says

Bandeaux is a perfect example of how English borrowed words create 'fancier' plural versions that we pull out when we want to sound sophisticated—same thing happens with 'tableaux' and 'bureaux'!

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