The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Début

DÉBUT, dǎ-bü, a French word which has been adopted into the English language, signifying generally a beginning or entrance, but specially applied to the first appearance of an actor or actress on the stage, or to a first appearance in a particular theatre. In these circumstances, the actor is called débutant; the actress, a débutante. The expression is very frequently used with reference to a young lady's first entrance into society.