Word of the Day
Roue (roo-AYE)
Common clue: Licentious sort
Definition: a man devoted to a life of immorality
Philippe
of Orleans
The word originally comes from the French rouer, which means to break on a wheel, referring to a form of torture deserved by such a person. The word was first used in its modern sense by Philippe, Duke of Orleans. He was known to associate with companions as licentious as himself – even boasting that there was not one of them who did not deserve to be broken on the wheel; therefore his friends were known as Orleans’ roués, or wheels.
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