de luxeadj.
/dᵻ ˈlʌks//də ˈluːks/ Luxurious, sumptuous; of a superior kind.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > surpassing excellence > [adjective] > and superior in quality
higheOE
finec1330
supreme1567
uppera1586
nature-graceda1618
de luxe1819
nature-favoured1877
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > luxury or luxurious living > [adjective] > luxurious (of things)
delicatec1400
delicious?c1450
fleshpot1535
lascivious1589
nice1621
mollitious1629
luxurious1650
luxuriant1671
voluptuous1816
de luxe1819
plushy1884
plush1890
1819 Edinb. Rev. 32 377 The paper used for printing, except in what are emphatically called les éditions de luxe, is very inferior to ours.
1865 ‘Ouida’ Strathmore I. viii. 134 I wonder governments don't tax good talk; it's quite a luxury, and they might add de luxe.
1885 Athenæum 25 July 111/2 The volume may fairly claim to be, in a modest way, an édition de luxe.
1890 Bradshaw's Cont. Rlwy. Guide Jan. 49 ‘Train de Luxe’, consisting of Sleeping Cars and Lits-Salons, number of places limited.
1908 Westm. Gaz. 6 June 5/1 We are conscious of something De luxe, but not oppressed by the sense of it.
1934 Punch 20 June 679/3 They will disclose Britannia, enthroned on the top of a de luxe model of one of those erections from which they mend tram-wires.
1948 E. Pound Pisan Cantos lxxvii. 44 Before the deluxe car carried him over the precipice.
1955 T. H. Pear Eng. Social Differences viii. 182 Members of the upper economic strata..who patronise hotels de luxe.
1970 K. Chesney Victorian Underworld 336 These places were often little businesses engaged in a de luxe trade, glovers, bonnet makers, perfumers and so on.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
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adj.1819