Fete — When little is, in fact, big

fete /fāt, fet/

Definition: noun; 1. a day of celebration; holiday: The Fourth of July is a great American fete. 2. a festive celebration or entertainment: The ball was the greatest fete of the season. 3. a religious feast or festival: a fete lasting several days in honor of a saint. verb; 4. to entertain at or honor with a fete: to fete a visiting celebrity.

Etymology: First recorded in English, 1745-1755. Derives from the French word fête, and before that, feste (feast).

Source: Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary

Why we love this word: For a such a little word (four-letters, one-syllable) “fete” holds the promise of something big and important. We love it when little things translate into big things. Little gestures. Little actions that mean a lot. When little is, in fact, big.