perdu

1 of 2

noun

per·​du ˈpər-(ˌ)dü 

-(ˌ)dyü;

(ˌ)pər-ˈd(y)ü

variants or perdue

obsolete

: a soldier assigned to extremely hazardous duty

perdu

2 of 2

adjective

per·​du per-ˈdᵫ 

variants or perdue

: remaining out of sight

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French sentinelle perdue, literally, lost sentinel

Adjective

French perdu, masculine, & perdue, feminine, from past participle of perdre to lose, from Latin perdere

First Known Use

Noun

1608, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined above