‖ feu d'artifice
(f{obar} dartifis)
[Fr., lit. ‘fire of artifice’.]
Fireworks (sense 4 c). Also transf.
| 1699 M. Lister Journey to Paris (ed. 3) 180 The Cardinal of Furstenbourgh..closed the public Rejoicings for the conclusion of the Peace with the last Feu d'Artifice. 1818 E. Blaquière tr. Pananti's Narr. Res. Algiers ii. 59 The many salutes..reminded me that there are feux d'artifice, as well as feux de joie. 1834 M. Edgeworth Helen I. xv. 312 ‘Well, fireworks, if you will,’ said Lady Davenant,..‘it's all feu d'artifice after all.’ 1916 G. Saintsbury Peace Augustans viii. 286 As a sort of poetical feu d'artifice the things are fine. |