French word

opercule

Pronunciation

IPA/opɛʁkyl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounlid

Example

Peux-tu enlever l'opercule du pot ?

Can you take the lid off the jar?

Illustration for opercule (lid)

More examples

Avant de manger, retire l'opercule.

Before eating, remove the lid.

Core concept

A thin seal or small removable cover lying across a container opening.

Common phrases

  • retirer l'opercule du pot de yaourt

    remove the lid from the yogurt cup

  • soulever l'opercule

    lift the lid

  • l'opercule du pot

    the lid of the container

Similar words

couvercle: A cover placed over a container to protect its contents and allow repeated opening and closing.
bouchon: A plug inserted into or fitted onto a bottle or container opening to keep liquid from escaping.
capsule: A small outer cap fitted onto a bottle or container mouth, often covering the drinking area.
pellicule: A protective plastic or aluminum membrane over a container opening that is peeled off before use.

Definition in French

Pièce amovible ou film fin servant à sceller une ouverture de récipient, souvent conçu pour être retiré avant consommation.

Word origin

French opercule comes from Latin operculum, meaning a cover or lid, formed from operire, "to cover," with a noun-forming suffix.

Usage tips

  • Un opercule is usually the peelable inner seal on a food or cosmetic container, whereas un couvercle is generally the outer lid.

Other meanings

  • gill covernoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word