necessaire

See also: Necessaire and nécessaire

English

Alternative forms

• nécessaire

Etymology

From French nécessaire.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /nɛsɪˈsɛə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /nɛsɪˈsɛɹ/

Noun

necessaire (plural necessaires)

1. A small case for holding personal items, especially toiletries.
   • 1945, Nancy Mitford, The Pursuit of Love, Penguin, published 2010, page 111:

     While this was being made they missed one boat, and, by the time it was ready, the sleuths were on their track – this unlucky medicine chest having played the same part that Marie Antoinette's nécessaire did in the escape to Varennes.

Middle French

Adjective

necessaire m or f (plural necessaires)

1. necessary; required; needed