The French preposition de, used as a prefix of nobility in personal names.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Blackwood's Magazine. From French particule the preposition de in French surnames, especially as indicating nobility.
Definition of particule in US English:
particule
nounˈpɑːtɪkjuːl
The French preposition de, used as a prefix of nobility in personal names.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Blackwood's Magazine. From French particule the preposition de in French surnames, especially as indicating nobility.