eclair
UK[ɪˈkleə(r)]US[ɪˈkler]
n
A long, thin cake made of light pastry, filled with cream and usually topped with chocolate icing.
Etymology
The word 'eclair' was borrowed into English from French in the mid-19th century. In French, 'éclair' literally means 'flash of lightning'. The name is thought to be a humorous metaphor, either referring to the speed with which the pastry is eaten or perhaps to the glossy shine of its chocolate glaze. This culinary term showcases how a word for a natural phenomenon was playfully applied to a confection based on perceived qualities of speed or appearance.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from French. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into productive English morphemes while preserving its current spelling.
Examples
She bought a coffee and a chocolate eclair from the patisserie.
The secret to a perfect eclair is a light, airy choux pastry.
He bit into the eclair, and the cream filling spilled out.