bureau

Meaning

Noun

• An administrative unit of government; office.
• An organization or office for collecting or providing information or news.
• An office .
• A desk, usually with a cover and compartments that are located above the level of the writing surface rather than underneath, and often used for storing papers.
• A chest of drawers for clothes.

Origin

• Borrowed from French bureau, earlier "coarse cloth (as desk cover), baize", from Old French burel ("woolen cloth"), diminutive of *bure (compare Middle French bure ("coarse woolen cloth"), French bourre ("hair, fluff")), from Late Latin burra ("wool, fluff, shaggy cloth, coarse fabric"); akin to Ancient Greek βερβέριον ("shabby garment"). burel, and borrel, taken from Old French.