aubaine

English

Etymology

From French aubain (“an alien”) (as in droit d’aubaine), from Old French aubene, of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Latin alibi (“elsewhere”) or from Frankish *alibanus (“of or belonging to another ban”).

Noun

aubaine

1. (historical, law) The inheritance of goods from a foreigner who died in a country where he was not naturalised.

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /o.bɛn/
• Rhymes: -ɛn

Etymology 1

From aubain (“non-naturalised foreigner”). Later meanings are an extension of the legal sense.

Noun

aubaine f (plural aubaines)

1. the inheritance of goods belonging to a foreigner who died in a country where they have not been naturalised (the doctrine of droit d'aubaine)
2. godsend, boon, windfall

   Synonyms: pain bénit, don du ciel

3. bargain, steal

   Synonym: bonne affaire

Etymology 2

Adjective

aubaine

1. feminine singular of aubain

Further reading

• “aubaine”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.