Au
wiktionary
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
etymonline
Au
chemical symbol for the element gold, from Latin aurum "gold" (see aureate).
au
French, "at the, to the," dative of the French definite article, from Old French al, contraction of a le, with -l- softened to -u-, as also poudre from pulverem, chaud from calidus, etc. This is from Latin ad illum, from ad "to" (see ad-) + accusative of ille "that."
It figures in expressions in cookery, etc., which have crossed the Channel since 18c., such as au revoir; au contraire, literally "on the contrary;" au gratin, literally "with scrapings;" au jus, literally "with the juice." The corresponding fem. is a la.
