derriere
UK[ˌderiˈeə]US[ˌderiˈer]
n
The part of the human body that a person sits on; the buttocks.
Etymology
The word 'derriere' entered English directly from French in the late 18th century. In French, 'derrière' functions as a preposition and adverb meaning "behind, at the back," derived from the Old French 'deriere,' itself a combination of 'de' (from) and 'riere' (behind, rear). The ultimate source is the Vulgar Latin 'de retro,' from Latin 'de' (from) and 'retro' (backwards, behind). The English adoption specifically nominalized the French term to refer euphemistically to the rear part of the body, maintaining its association with the concept of "the back" while adding a layer of genteel or humorous connotation.
Analysis
This word is a direct loanword from French and is not productively segmented using English morphemes.
Examples
She fell down and landed squarely on her derriere.
The exercise is designed to tone the muscles of the derriere.
He offered a playful pat on his friend's derriere.