objet de vertu
English
Etymology
From French objet + de + variant form of English virtu, after e.g. English objet d'art, from French objet d'art.
The term objet de vertu does not exist in French.
Noun
objet de vertu (plural objets de vertu)
- An object of particular interest for reasons of history, workmanship etc.
- 1974, Lawrence Durrell, Monsieur, Faber & Faber 1992, p. 260:
- We impotents are great collectors of objets de vertu, snuffboxes, musical boxes, knick-knacks.
- 1974, Lawrence Durrell, Monsieur, Faber & Faber 1992, p. 260: