nou·velle I. \(ˈ)nüˈvel\noun (-s) Etymology: French, translation of Italian novella : novella 2 II. \nüˈvel\adjective Etymology: French, feminine of nouveau new, from Middle French novel — more at novel 1.: of or relating to nouvelle cuisine 2.: trendy herein: novel < what's terribly nouvelle today can be totally passé tomorrow — Robert Masello >