n. (pl. bureaux or bureaus) 1 a Brit. a writing-desk with drawers and usu. an angled top opening downwards to form a writing surface. b US a chest of drawers. 2 a an office or department for transacting specific business. b a government department.
[ F, = desk, orig. its baize covering, f. OF burel f. bure, buire dark brown ult. f. Gk purros red ]