Neufchâtel

English + cheese Etymology en fr -, from the region Neufchâtel-en-Bray in Normandy. The placename is originally inspired by the en cel -/en cel-gau - name la Novientum new establishment, reflecting its beginnings as a primitive Gaulish settlement in ancient Normandy. In the 12th century, Henry I Beauclerc, Duke of Normandy, constructed a castle there, initially named fr Chastel-Nof which evolved into fr Neufcastel by the 13th century. Over time, the pronunciation shifted, muting the [f] in fr neuf, resulting in the modern fr Neufchâtel, a change influenced by educational standardization similar to other toponyms like fr Neuchâtel.François de Beaurepaire (préf. Marianne Mulon), Les Noms des communes et anciennes paroisses de la Seine-Maritime, Paris, A. et J. Picard, 1979, 180 p. Compare en Newcastle. Pronunciation en /ˈnɜː(f).ʃə.tɛl/ UK en /ˈnʌ(f).ʃɑ.tɛl/ US Proper noun A soft, slightly crumbly, mould-ripened cheese made in the French region of Normandy. 264 II They gave us some such eggs, cream like a custard, and a Neufchâtel cheese; some brown, but such sweet bread;—we never enjoyed a meal so much. References en Cheeses