Bichon Frise

[ bee-shon freez, fri-zey; French bee-shawn free-zey ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

one of a French-Belgian breed of small dog having a silky, loosely curled, thick white coat, a topknot, dropped ears with long flowing hair, and a tail curved over its back, originally developed in the Mediterranean area.

bichon frise

/ ˈbiːʃɒn ˈfriːzeɪ /

noun

a small white poodle-like dog of European origin, with a silky, loosely curling coat

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Bichon Frise¹

First recorded in 1965–70; from French: literally, “curly bichon ” a breed of lapdog, shortening of barbichon, diminutive of barbet a kind of spaniel, ultimately derivative of barbe “beard”; barb ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Bichon Frise¹

C20: French, literally: curly toy dog

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