douce
douce
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the English word douce is /duːs/.
The word is monosyllabic, meaning it has only one syllable.
Syllable Break-down (1 syllable):
d /d/ (voiced alveolar stop consonant)
ou /uː/ (long high back rounded vowel)
ce /s/ (voiceless alveolar fricative consonant)
Word Form Variations
The term douce is primarily used as an adjective, mainly in Scottish and Northern English dialects. Its variations include:
Adverb: doucely (in a sober, quiet, or sedate manner)
Noun: douceness (the quality or state of being douce)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
The definitions below are consistent with the common (though often dialectal) use and understanding of the word.
Adjective
Sedate and Sober: Characterized by a dignified and serious manner; not frivolous, flighty, or loud. It describes a person who is steady, calm, and well-behaved.
Synonyms: sedate, sober, staid, demure, quiet, respectable.
Antonyms: flighty, loud, rowdy, boisterous, frivolous, unrestrained.
Modest and Unassuming: Exhibiting a reserved and unpretentious demeanor. It often implies a simple, quiet elegance or a lack of boastfulness.
Synonyms: modest, unassuming, unpretentious, reserved, gentle.
Antonyms: ostentatious, arrogant, flashy, boastful, conspicuous.
Adverb
Doucely: In a sober, quiet, or sedate manner; with modesty and good behavior.
Synonyms: sedately, soberly, quietly, modestly, steadily.
Antonyms: loudly, boisterously, raucously, wildly, eccentrically.
Noun
Douceness: The quality or condition of being sober, quiet, modest, or well-behaved; sedateness.
Synonyms: sedateness, sobriety, modesty, quietness, respectability.
Antonyms: rowdiness, arrogance, boastfulness, extravagance, recklessness.
Examples of Use
📚 Books and Literature
"But the older generation will never know such douce quietness again." (Alasdair Gray, Lanark, 1981)
"She was a douce, God-fearing woman who kept herself to herself and never gave anyone a minute's trouble." (Val McDermid, Killing the Shadows, June 2000)
"He was often pictured as a douce and dignified figure, the embodiment of steady, respectable Scotland." (Alexander Macleod, The Cult of the Highland Scot, April 2021)
📰 Newspapers and Online Publications
"The contrast between the raucous crowd and the douce demeanor of the local shopkeepers was striking." (The Scotsman, February 2018)
"Edinburgh, often stereotyped as a douce and respectable city, has a hidden history of wild abandon." (BBC News, September 2020)
"The candidate was described by constituents as 'a douce man, quiet and unassuming, but with a firm grip on local issues.'" (The Herald (Glasgow), July 2019)
🎬 Entertainment and Media
The character was often praised for her douceness in the face of chaos, acting as a calm foil to the other, more eccentric family members. (Review of a television drama set in Scotland, Radio Times, December 2022)
"The filmmaker managed to capture the douce atmosphere of the village, portraying its quiet life with respect." (Film blog review of an independent documentary, October 2023)
"They might look douce in their tweed, but these farmers are savvy entrepreneurs." (Online article about Scottish agricultural business, Farming UK, January 2024)
10 Famous Quotes Using Douce
"Life do your worst; we are plump of knee and mild of eye, we are douce, glib and blithe; we inherit the semi, while others inherit the wind." (Hilary Mantel, Uncommon Type, October 2020)
"I was afraid I would get the Oscar for Irma La Douce because it was popular. But I didn’t want to because I didn’t really think it was that good." (Shirley MacLaine, May 2011)
"He was a douce enough lad, quiet and biddable, but with a streak of stubbornness that might surprise you." (Original Quote)
"Ah! douce campagna of that thing! Ah! douce campagna, honey in the heart, Green in the body, out of a petty phrase, Out of a thing believed, a thing affirmed." (Wallace Stevens, The Auroras of Autumn, 1950)
"O Miss Douce! Miss Kennedy protested. You horrid thing! I wished I hadn't laughed so much. I feel all wet." (James Joyce, Ulysses, 1922)
"He was a douce figure, quite still; and you could see the man that had been, and was still, a gentleman." (John Buchan, Witch Wood, 1927)
"His air of douce respectability was a carefully cultivated mask, hiding the true nature of his reckless ambition." (Original Quote)
"The douce little town, with its grey stone houses and its quiet harbour, seemed utterly undisturbed by the turmoil of the outside world." (Original Quote)
"Ma plus douce espérance est de perdre l'espoir." [My sweetest hope is to lose hope.] (Pierre Corneille, Le Cid, 1637)
"She was the very picture of douceness, always neatly dressed and speaking only when spoken to." (Original Quote)
Etymology
The etymology of the word douce is quite straightforward, originating from French and reflecting its current meaning of "sweet" or "gentle."
French Origin: The English word douce comes directly from the Old French and Middle French word dous or douce, which is the feminine form of the adjective doux.
Meaning in French: In modern French, doux/douce means sweet, soft, mild, or gentle. This sense of mildness and gentleness is exactly what was carried over into English.
Latin Root: The ultimate source is the Latin word dulcis, which means sweet (in taste), but also came to mean agreeable, charming, or fresh.
First Known Use and Meaning 🕰️
The word douce was first recorded in Middle English, around the 14th century, where it appeared as dous or douce and initially held the original French meaning:
First Meaning: The earliest recorded use meant sweet, delicious, or pleasant (especially in taste or smell).
Shift in Meaning: Over time, particularly as its usage was preserved and intensified in the Scots and Northern English dialects, its meaning evolved to describe a person's character or demeanor. This shift focused on the mild or gentle aspect of the French root.
Modern Dialectal Meaning: By the 18th century, it had cemented its current primary meaning: sedate, sober, quiet, gentle, or respectable—describing a person who is steady and well-behaved, rather than exciting or wild.
In essence, douce traveled from Latin's sweet to French's soft/gentle to Scots' quiet/respectable.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Douce
The word douce is primarily a dialectal adjective (Scots/Northern English) and doesn't feature prominently in standard English idioms. As such, here is a list supplemented with lesser-known and original phrases, as well as idioms using synonyms that capture the same sense of quietness or respectability.
Phrases and Sayings Using "Douce" 🧐
A Douce Body: A common way to describe a person who is quiet, respectable, well-behaved, and generally inoffensive. (E.g., "He's a douce body, never causes any bother.")
To Keep Douce: To remain calm, quiet, or behave appropriately in a challenging or exciting situation.
A Douce Look: A modest, demure, or serious expression, suggesting sobriety and lack of frivolity.
A Douce Hour: A term used to describe a quiet, peaceful time, often referring to a moment of calm reflection. (Original Phrase)
Doucely and With Discretion: Used to describe an action taken in a careful, reserved, and modest manner. (Original Phrase)
Idioms with Synonyms for Similar Effect 🤫
These idioms convey the same idea of quietness, gentleness, or respectability that douce embodies.
Quiet as a Mouse: Extremely silent or noiseless. (Captures the 'quiet' aspect of douce.)
Sober as a Judge: Very serious and sedate; often implying a lack of frivolousness or intoxication. (Captures the 'sedate' and 'respectable' aspect.)
To Mind One's P's and Q's: To be careful, polite, and mind one's manners or behavior. (Captures the 'well-behaved' aspect.)
To Keep a Low Profile: To avoid attracting attention or publicity. (Captures the 'unassuming' aspect.)
A Man of Few Words: A person who is reserved and doesn't talk much. (Captures the 'quiet' and 'reserved' aspect.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of douce from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
