douceur

noun

dou·​ceur dü-ˈsər 

: a conciliatory gift

Did you know?

In French, douceur means "pleasantness," and it is often used in phrases such as "douceur de vivre" ("the pleasure of life"). The word derives from the Latin adjective dulcis, meaning "sweet." A douceur is a gift or payment - sometimes, but not necessarily, considered a bribe - provided by someone to enhance or "sweeten" a deal. In the United Kingdom, "douceur" specifically refers to a tax benefit given to someone who sells a historical artifact to a public collection. Other sweet treats that "dulcis" has given to our language include "dulcet" (having a "sweet" sound that is pleasing to the ear) and "dulcimer" (a kind of stringed instrument that provides "sweet" music).

Examples of douceur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bordeaux’s sleepy country cousin is known for what the Bordelaise call the douceur de vivre — the gentle way of life. —David Lansing, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

French, pleasantness, from Late Latin dulcor sweetness, from Latin dulcis

First Known Use

1721, in the meaning defined above

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