An elaborate, fancy cake, typically a large one with multiple layers, decorative frosting, and luxurious ingredients.
From French gâteau (cake), ultimately from Latin gatum. The spelling with accent was adopted into English in the 19th century as French culinary terms became prestigious.
The word gateau became fashionable in English exactly when French cuisine became a status symbol for the wealthy—ordering a 'gateau' instead of a 'cake' literally signaled you could afford French sophistication and imported ingredients.
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