dou

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[dou̯]

1. demonstrative determiner, masculine singular This.

Spelling: Before words beginning with a vowel or h-, it turns into doul’, with word ligature (both words are written together without intermediate spaces). For masculine plural: dous; for feminine forms, see da (1).

2. demonstrative pronoun, masculine singular This one.

Spelling: Before words beginning with a vowel or h-, it turns into doul’, with word ligature (both words are written together without intermediate spaces). For masculine plural: dous; for feminine forms, see da (2).

Etymology (1-2): A portmonteau between German das (this) and the definite article ou.

3. preposition-article contraction, masculine singular Of the.

Spelling: Before words beginning with a vowel or h-, it turns into doul’, with word ligature (both words are written together without intermediate spaces). For masculine plural: dous; for feminine forms, see da (3).

Etymology: From de ou.