cuivre

copper

noun kwee-VR Rare

Origin: Latin cuprum (from Cyprus, source of copper)

Also means

brass instrument (music)

Usage Note

Cuivre in the singular refers to the metal copper; in the plural les cuivres means the brass section of an orchestra. The idiom frotter les cuivres means to polish the brass. The adjective cuivré (coppery) describes a warm reddish-brown tone.

Examples

"La trompette est un instrument en cuivre."

Natural Translation

The trumpet is a brass instrument.

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