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, section V:

     The idée mère, the primitive element, in the formation of the notion of justice, was conformity to law.

   • 1868 September 26, The Saturday Review:

     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