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bêche-de-mer

noun \ ˌbesh-də-ˈmer , ˌbāsh- \

Definition of bêche-de-mer

1 plural bêche-de-mer or bêches-de-mer play \ˌbesh-də-, ˌbe-shəz-, ˌbāsh-\ : trepang
2 capitalized B&M : any of several English-based pidgins spoken on islands of the western Pacific

Origin and Etymology of bêche-de-mer

French, alteration of biche de mer, from Portuguese bicho do mar, literally, sea worm

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