Adjacent Words

tonneau definitions

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Merriam Webster's

noun (plural tonneaus) Etymology: French, literally, tun, from Old French tonel — more at tunnel Date: 1901 1. the rear seating compartment of an automobile; also the entire seating compartment 2. a shape of watch case or dial resembling a barrel in profile

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. the part of a motor car occupied by the back seats, esp. in an open car. Phrases and idioms: tonneau cover a removable flexible cover for the passenger seats in an open car, boat, etc., when they are not in use. Etymology: F, lit. cask, tun

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Tonneau Ton`neau", n.; pl. Tonneaux. [F.] 1. In France, a light-wheeled vehicle with square or rounded body and rear entrance. 2. (Automobiles) Orig., the after part of the body with entrance at the rear (as in vehicle in def. 1); now, one with sides closing in the seat or seats and entered by a door usually at the side, also, the entire body of an automobile having such an after part. 3. = Tonne.