‖ estaminet
(ɛstaminɛ)
[Fr. estaminet, Wall. staminet, of unknown etym., by some connected with OFr. estamine: see prec.]
A café in which smoking is allowed. Now, any small establishment selling alcoholic liquor. Also attrib.
| 1814 G. W. Bridges Alpine Sks. ii. 47 A delightful shade of oak and elm, beneath which are numerous estaminets and restaurateurs. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair lxiv, Frequenters of billiard⁓rooms and estaminets. 1867 Dixon New Amer. II. v. 42 The rascal would..play his game of dominoes at the estaminet door. 1883 Pall Mall G. 13 July 4/1 The few buildings that..form a scattering suburb—estaminets, chiefly. 1915 W. H. L. Watson Adv. Despatch Rider ii. 19 We..had some coffee at a little estaminet. 1955 J. Thomas No Banners i. 15 The brothers went into the estaminet, hoping to find a bottle of wine or something to eat. |