comptine

nursery rhyme

noun kohm-TEEN Rare

Usage Note

comptine is the specific word for a children's counting rhyme or nursery rhyme, often used to eliminate players in playground games (like 'eeny, meeny, miny, moe'). The word comes from compter (to count). Une chanson pour enfants is a broader term; comptine implies the rhythmic, counting function specifically.

Examples

"Les enfants récitent une comptine en cercle."

Natural Translation

The children recite a nursery rhyme in a circle.

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