cachet
cachet Lexical Profile
cachet Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The state of being respected or admired; a prestigious quality or characteristic that marks someone or something as superior or distinctive.
"Graduating from the conservatory still carries a certain cachet among classical musicians."
A distinguishing mark, official seal, or decorative design stamped or printed on an envelope for philatelic or commemorative purposes.
"The collector examined the commemorative cachet printed on the left side of the first-day cover."
A flat, seal-shaped edible capsule made of rice paper or unleavened bread used in pharmacy to enclose unpleasant-tasting powdered medicine.
"Before gelatin capsules became standard, pharmacists routinely dispensed bitter medicinal powders inside a wafer cachet."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'cachet' (prestige or an official seal, pronounced ka-SHAY) with 'cache' (a hidden store of items or computer memory, pronounced KASH) or 'sachet' (a small perfumed bag, pronounced sa-SHAY).
• Rhymes for cachet
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 17th century from French 'cachet' (meaning 'seal' or 'stamp'), derived from the verb 'cacher' ('to press' or 'to hide'), ultimately from Vulgar Latin 'coactare' ('to constrain' or 'to press together'). Historically, it became famous through French 'lettres de cachet', royal warrants sealed with the king's signet.