Word of the Day

: June 5, 2008

feuilleton

noun fuh-yuh-TOHNG (the "ng" is not pronounced, but the preceding vow

What It Means

1 : a part of a European newspaper or magazine devoted to material designed to entertain the general reader

2 : a work of fiction printed in installments

3 : a short literary composition often having a familiar tone and reminiscent content

feuilleton in Context

The magazine's June issue includes feuilletons from famous writers on the subject of fathers.

Did You Know?

The feuilleton originated in French newspapers as a supplement sectioned out from the main news stories. Although found in the political section of the newspaper, the feuilleton typically included material on non-political subjects, such as art, literature, or fashion. Fiction was sometimes included as well. The word is a diminutive of the French "feuillet," meaning "sheet of paper," and ultimately derives from Latin "folium," meaning "leaf." From this source English acquired "folio" (which can refer to a page, or leaf, of a book or manuscript) and "foliage" (meaning "a mass of leaves").