[go: up one dir, main page]

See also: tōutōu, and tou-tou

French

edit

Etymology

edit

Reduplication of a sound-symbolic syllable to-, denoting a small and probably cute object. Appeared in the 17th century with the sense of "favorite", then evolved into "a docile person". For a similar formation in an unrelated language, compare Chinese 嘟嘟 (dūdū, chubby, plump).

Pronunciation

edit

Noun

edit

toutou m (plural toutous)

  1. (informal, childish) doggie, bow-wow (dog)
  2. (Quebec) soft toy, stuffed animal
  3. (figuratively, derogatory) poodle (person servile towards someone whom he or she considers his or her superior)
    Synonym: caniche

Further reading

edit

Tokelauan

edit

Etymology

edit

From Proto-Polynesian *te-o-u-tou.

Pronunciation

edit
  • IPA(key): [to.u.ˈto.u]
  • Hyphenation: to‧u‧to‧u

Determiner

edit

toutou

  1. (inalienable, definite) your

See also

edit

References

edit
  • R. Simona, editor (1986), Tokelau Dictionary[1], Auckland: Office of Tokelau Affairs, page 389