boudoir
UK[ˈbuːdwɑː]US[ˈbuːdwɑːr]
n
A woman's private sitting room or bedroom.
Etymology
The word 'boudoir' entered English in the late 18th century directly from French. Its origin lies in the French verb bouder, meaning 'to pout' or 'to sulk'. Literally, a 'boudoir' was a room to which one would retreat to sulk or be in a private, sullen mood. Over time, this sense of a private, intimate retreat evolved into its modern meaning of a woman's elegantly furnished private sitting room or bedroom, shedding the original connotation of ill temper and emphasizing instead seclusion and leisure. The word's journey reflects a shift from a space for a specific emotional state to a generalized space for privacy and repose.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from French. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes using its current English spelling.
Examples
The actress retired to her boudoir to escape the noise of the party.
The antique dressing table was the centerpiece of the elegant boudoir.
She had the small spare room decorated as a cozy boudoir for reading and writing letters.