Word of the Day: Crèche

crèche

crèche / krĕsh

noun

1.  a representation or tableau of Christ’s Nativity, depicting the scene at the stable in Bethlehem, usually with statues or figurines

During the first 13 centuries after the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, no one thought of setting up a creche to celebrate Christmas.

Nancy Pearcey, 1952 –

2. a hospital or home for abandoned babies

They knew what Jasmin had done to found schools, orphanages, and creches.

From “Jasmin: Barber, Poet, Philanthropist” by Samuel Smiles, 1812 – 1904

3. (primarily British) a day care nursery

You takes ’em all dirty to the creche every morning and gets ’em back in the evenin’ all tidied up.

From “Woman on Her Own, False Gods and The Red Robe” by Eugène Brieux, 1858 – 1932