idée mère

English

Etymology

From French idée mère.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /iːdeɪ ˈmɛː/
  • (US) IPA(key): /i.deɪ ˈmɛ(ə)ɹ/

Noun

idée mère (plural idées mères)

  1. A fundamental idea or guiding principle, seen as giving rise to something. [from 19th c.]
    • 1863, John Stewart Mill, Utilitarianism, V:
      The idée mère, the primitive element, in the formation of the notion of justice, was conformity to law.
    • 1868, The Saturday Review, 26 Sep 1868:
      M. Malot pursues this physiological development of his idée-mere with a good deal of skill, and it is, we think, the most interesting feature of his book.

Synonyms
  • mother idea

French

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /i.de mɛʁ/

Noun

idée mère f (plural idées mères)

  1. idée mère
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