bureau

The definition of a bureau is a chest of drawers or a government department or an office or agency with a specific purpose.

(noun)

See bureau in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. bureaus or bureaux

a writing table or desk, with drawers for papers
☆ a chest of drawers, with or without a mirror, as for clothing
1. an agency for collecting and giving information or performing other services: a credit bureau, a travel bureau
2. a local office of such an agency
☆ a government department, or a subdivision of a government department

Origin: Fr, writing table or desk, office < OFr burel, coarse cloth (as table cover) < VL *bura < LL burra, wool, shaggy garment

See bureau in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. bu·reaus or bu·reaux (-ōz)

A chest of drawers, especially a dresser for holding clothes.
Chiefly British A writing desk or writing table with drawers.
a. A government department or a subdivision of a department.
b. An office, usually of a large organization, that is responsible for a specific duty: a news bureau.
c. A business that offers information of a specified kind: a travel bureau.

Origin:

Origin: French, cloth cover for desks, desk, office

Origin: , from Old French burel, woolen cloth

Origin: , probably from Vulgar Latin *būra

Origin: , from Late Latin burra, shaggy garment

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