English
kouign-amann
Kouign-amann comes from Breton kouign ‘brioche’, from French coin ‘wedge’, and ultimately from Latin cuneus.
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEcuneus‘wedge’
- Frenchc. 1600–presentcoin‘wedge’
- French, derivedc. 1600–present*cuignereconstructed
- Bretonmodernkouign‘brioche’
- Breton, derivedmodernkouign-amann
- Englishtodaysame form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEcuneus‘wedge’
- Frenchc. 1600–presentcoin‘wedge’
- French, derivedc. 1600–present*cuignereconstructed
- Bretonmodernkouign‘brioche’
- Breton, derivedmodernkouign-amann
- Englishtodaysame form
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷ- ‘to anoint’
ointment, anoint, unction, unctuous, 8 more
through Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ- ‘sharp’
hear, edge, egg, acid, ear, eager, hammer, acute, axe, acne, oxide, vinegar, mediocre, acetate, mediocrity, paragon, acupuncture, acacia, exacerbate, acumen, acme, hark, acuity, acyl, acrid, rosacea, acrimony, acerbic, exacerbation, roselle, 72 more
through Latin cuneus ‘wedge’
Today it means
noun A traditional Breton cake made of layers of butter, dough, and sugar.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Latin cuneus / kouign-amann