guimauve

French

Etymology

From Latin hibiscum (“marsh mallow”) + malva (“mallow”), by confusion of hibiscus with viscum (“mistletoe”). Compare Spanish malvavisco.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɡi.mov/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

guimauve f (plural guimauves)

1. marshmallow (plant)
2. marshmallow (food)
3. What is bland, sweetish, expressionless, vapid.
   • C'est de la guimauve

Further reading

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