benêt

See also: benet, Benet, and Bene't

French

Etymology

Representing a Norman pronunciation of benoît, originally meaning "blessed", then "sanctimonious, blissful, etc." before descending into this term. For semantic development, perhaps compare etymology of English silly.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /bə.nɛ/

Noun

benêt m (plural benêts, feminine benête)

  1. half-wit, simpleton

Further reading

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