grouiller, _v._ to swarm, crawl.
groupe, _m._ group.
grouper, _v._ to group.
Guerande, small town in the department of Loire-Inferieure. guere, _adv._ scarcely; ne … — , scarcely. guerre, _f._ war.
guerrier, -ere, _adj. and s._ of war, warlike, warrior. guet, _m._ watch; faire le –, to be on the lookout. guetter, _v._ to watch, watch for.
gueule, _f._ mouth (of animals), jaws, chops. gueusard, _m._ rascal.
gueux, -euse, _adj. and s._ beggarly, poor, beggar, scoundrel. guide, _m._ guide.
guider, _v._ to guide, steer.
guigne, _f._ white-heart cherry.
guignon, _m._ bad luck.
Guillaume, William.
Guillemet, Willie (a child’s name, diminutive of Guillaume). guinder, _v._ to hoist, strain; guinde, -e, stiff, unnatural. guirlande, _f._ garland, wreath.
guise, _f._ manner, way; en — de, as a. Gulistan, _m._ Garden of Roses (name of a moralizing poem by Sadi, a Persian poet of the 13th century). guttural, -e, _adj._ guttural.
guzla, _f._ guzla (Croatian violin with one string). gymnastique, _adj._ gymnastic; pas –, double-quick, run, trot.
H
(‘h=aspirate h)
habile, _adj._ clever, skilful.
habilement, _adv._ cleverly, skilfully. habiller, _v._ to dress.
habit, _m._ coat, dress-coat; _pl._ clothes. habitant, _m._ inhabitant.
habitation, _f._ habitation, dwelling, house. habiter, _v._ to live in, dwell.
habitude, _f._ habit; d’–, usual, usually. habitue, _m._ frequenter, regular customer. habituel, -le, _adj._ habitual.
habituellement, _adv._ habitually.
habituer, _v._ to accustom.
‘hache, _f._ ax.
‘hagard, -e, _adj._ haggard.
‘haick, _m._ haik (piece of cloth used as an outer garment by the Arabs).
‘haillon, _m._ rag, tatter.
‘haine, _f._ hatred, hate.
‘hair, _v._ to hate.
haleine, _f._ breath.
‘haleter, _v._ to pant.
‘haleur, _m._ hallier (person who draws a boat upon entering a port, etc.).
‘halle, _f._ market; les Halles, the large Central Market in Paris. hallucination, _f._ hallucination.
‘halte, _f._ halt; faire –, to halt. ‘hameau, _m._ hamlet.
‘hanche, _f._ hip.
‘hanter, _v._ to haunt.
‘happer, _v._ to snatch (with the mouth). ‘harasser, _v._ to harass, jade, tire out. ‘hardes, _f. pl._ clothes.
‘hardi, -e, _adj._ bold.
‘hardiesse, _f._ boldness.
‘hardiment, _adv._ boldly.
harmonie, _f._ harmony.
harmonier, _v._ to harmonize (obsolescent, more usually: harmoniser).
‘harpe, _f._ harp.
‘harpiste, _m., f._ harpist.
‘hasard, _m._ hazard, chance, fortune, risk, danger; au –, at random.
‘hasarder, _v._ to risk; se –, risk oneself, dare; — un oeil, risk exposing an eye.
Hassan, grandson of Mohammed and a favorite Mohammedan name, also a mosque in Cairo containing Hassan’s relics. ‘hate, _f._ haste, hurry; a la –, in haste. ‘hater, _v._ to hasten, hurry; se –, hasten, hurry. ‘hausse, _f._ rise.
‘hausser, _v._ to lift, shrug.
‘haut, -e, _adj., adv. and m._ high, tall, loud, important, aloud, loudly, raised, top; en –, upstairs, above, in the upper part; en — de, on (at the) top of; la- –, up there; tout –, aloud; la haute, society people (slang); — de cinquante pieds, fifty feet high; le — poisson, fine or highly esteemed fish.
‘hauteur, _f._ height; a la — de, at the height of, opposite, even with.
‘have, _adj._ wan, emaciated.
‘havre, _m._ haven, harbor.
‘Havre (le), city and important port at the mouth of the Seine. ‘he, _interj._ ho!, oh!, hello!
‘Heidelberg, city with a noted university and castle on the Neckar, in Baden.
‘hein, _interj._ hey, what?
‘Heinrich, Henry (German).
helas, _interj._ alas! (_s_ pronounced). ‘heler, _v._ to hail, call.
helice, _f._ screw, propeller.
hemorragie, _f._ hemorrhage.
Henri IV, Henry IV, the popular French King, reigned: 1589-1610. herbe, _f._ grass, herb.
hercule, _m._ Hercules, strong man. herculeen, -enne, _adj._ Herculean (_en_ pronounced as in _bien_). hereditaire, _adj._ hereditary.
‘herisser, _v._ to bristle, make stand up, erect; herisse, -e, _adj._ bristling.
heritage, _m._ heritage, patrimony. heriter, _v._ to inherit.
heritier, -ere, _m., f._ heir, heiress. heroique, _adj._ heroic.
‘heron, _m._ heron.
‘heros, _m._ hero.
‘herse, _f._ harrow.
hesitation, _f._ hesitation.
hesiter, _v._ to hesitate.
hetairiste, _m._ hetoerist, member of the hetoeria (Greek secret league at the time of the war for Greek independence). ‘hetre, _m._ beech-tree.
heure, _f._ hour, o’clock, time; de bonne –, early; tout a l’–, in a little while, in a moment, just now, a moment ago; a cette –, now (colloquial).
heureusement, _adv._ happily, fortunately. heureux, -euse, _adj. and s._ happy, fortunate, happy person. ‘heurter, _v._ to strike against, knock. ‘hideusement, _adv._ hideously.
‘hideux, -euse, _adj._ hideous.
hier, _adv._ yesterday; arriver d’–, to arrive yesterday. ‘hierarchie, _f._ hierarchy.
hieroglyphe, _m. and adj._ hieroglyph, hieroglyphic. ‘hilfe, _f._ help (German).
hippogriffe, _m._ hippogriff (half horse, half griffin, a fabulous steed of the romances of chivalry).
hippopotame, _m._ hippopotamus.
hirondelle, _f._ swallow.
histoire, _f._ history, story; — de rire, just to laugh (slang). historique, _adj._ historical, historic. hiver, _m._ winter.
‘hocher, _v._ to shake.
‘hochet, _m._ rattle.
‘homard, _m._ lobster.
hommage, _m._ homage, respects; — et souvenir de l’auteur, with the kind regards and remembrances of the author. homme, _m._ man; familiarly: husband.
‘Honeck (le), _m._ the Hohneck (one of the Vosges mountains west of Colmar).
Honfleur, village at the mouth of the Seine, opposite le Havre. honnete, _adj._ honest, honorable, decent, respectable. honneur, _m._ honor; faire — a, to honor. honorable, _adj._ honorable.
‘honte, _f._ shame; avoir –, to be ashamed; fausse –, bashfulness.
‘honteux, -euse, _adj._ ashamed, shameful, bashful. hopital, _m._ hospital (usually for the poor). ‘hoquet, _m._ hiccough.
horizon, _m._ horizon.
horloge, _f._ clock.
honnis, _prep._ except, save.
horreur, _f._ horror; quelle –, how horrible; avoir — de, to abhor.
horrible, _adj._ horrible.
horriblement, _adv._ horribly.
‘hors (de), _prep._ out of; — de lui, beside himself; — de combat, disabled; les yeux — de la tete, the eyes popping out of the head.
hostie, _f._ consecrated wafer, host. hostilite, _f._ hostility.
hote, _m._ host, guest; hotesse, f. hostess. hotel, _m._ hotel, mansion, large private house. ‘houri, _f._ houri (woman of the Mohammedan paradise). ‘hourra, _m._ hurrah, cheer.
‘huche, _f._ trough, bin.
huile, _f._ oil.
huiler, _v._ to oil.
huis, _m._ door (now little used).
‘huit, _card._ eight; — jours, a week. huitre, _f._ oyster.
humain, -e, _adj._ human.
humanite, _f._ humanity.
humble, _adj._ humble.
humblement, _adv._ humbly.
humeur, _f._ disposition, ill humor, humor. humide, _adj._ humid, damp, moist.
‘huppe, _f._ topknot, tuft.
‘hurlement, _m._ howl, howling, shriek, roar. ‘hurler, _v._ to howl.
‘hurrah, _interj. and m._ hurrah!, cheer. ‘hussard, _m._ hussar (light cavalryman). hygienique, _adj._ hygienic.
hypocrite, _adj. and s._ hypocritical, hypocrite. hysterique, _adj._ hysterical.
I
Ibnn-Ben-Omaz, a peculiar name, possibly due to Gautier; Ibn is the Arabic name for son, Ben is Hebrew for son. ici, _adv._ here; par –, this way; — -meme, in this very place; — -bas, here below.
idee, _f._ idea.
idiot, -e, _adj. and s._ idiotic, idiot. idole, _f._ idol.
Iena, Jena (town in Saxe Weimar, scelle of the battle (1806) in which Napoleon defeated the Prussians).
if, _m._ yew-tree.
ignorer, _v._ to be ignorant of, not to know; ignorant, -e, ignorant.
il, ils, _conj. pr._ he, it, there, they. ile, _f._ island.
illimite, -e, _adj._ unlimited, unbounded, measureless. illuminer, _v._ to illuminate, light up; s’–, light up, be illuminated.
illusion, _f._ illusion.
illustre, _adj._ illustrious.
illustrer, _v._ to illustrate, make illustrious. ilot, _m_. small island.
image, _f._ image, likeness, picture. imagination, _f._ imagination.
imaginer, _v._ to imagine; s’–, imagine. imbecile, _adj. and s._ foolish, silly, imbecile. imberbe, _adj._ beardless.
imiter, _v._ to imitate.
immediat, -e, _adj._ immediate.
immediatement, _adv._ immediately.
immense, _adj._ immense.
immensite, _f._ immensity, vast stretch. immobile, _adj._ quiet, motionless.
immobiliser, _v._ to render immovable, stop, paralyze. immobilite, _f._ immobility.
immodere, -e, _adj._ immoderate, excessive. immortel, -le, _adj._ immortal; _f._ everlasting (plant). impartial, -e, _adj._ impartial (_ti_ pronouncedas _ci_). impassible, _adj._ impassible, unmoved.
impassibilite, _f._ impassibility.
impatience, _f._ impatience (_ti_ in this and the next two words is pronounced as _ci_).
impatient, -e, _adj._ impatient.
impatienter, _v._ to put out of patience, provoke. impenetrable, _adj._ impenetrable, inscrutable. imperceptible, _adj._ imperceptible.
imperieux, -euse, _adj._ imperious, pressing, domineering. impertinent, -e, _adj. and s._ impertinent, impertinent fellow. impetuosite, _f._ impetuosity.
impitoyablement, _adv._ pitilessly. importance, _f._ importance.
importer, _v._ to matter; n’importe, no matter; qu’importe?, what does it matter?; n’importe quoi, anything whatsoever; n’importe qui, anyone.
imposer, _v._ to impose.
impossible, _adj._ impossible.
imposteur, _m._ impostor.
impot, _m._ tax, toll.
impression _f._ impression
impressionner, _v._ to impress, make an impression upon. imprevu, -e, _adj._ unforeseen, unexpected. imprimer, _v._ to impress, press upon, print. improviser, _v._ to improvise.
imprudemment, _adv._ imprudently (_em_ pronounced as _am_). impuissance, _f._ impotency.
impuissant, -e, _adj._ impotent.
impulsion, _f._ impulse, impetus.
imputer, _v._ to impute.
inabordable, _adj._ inaccessible.
inalterable, _adj._ unalterable, unchangeable. inamovible, _adj._ irremovable (from office). inattendu, -e, _adj._ unexpected.
incapable, _adj._ incapable.
incarnadin, -e, _adj._ flesh-colored, pink. incarnation, _f._ incarnation.
incendie, _m._ fire, conflagration. incertain, -e, _adj._ uncertain.
incertitude, _f._ uncertainty.
incessamment, _adv._ incessantly, directly. incisif, -ive, _adj._ incisive.
incisive, _f._ incisor.
incliner, _v._ to incline, tilt; s’–, bow, lean. incommode, -e, _adj._ indisposed.
inconcevable, _adj._ inconceivable. inconnu, -e, _adj. and s._ unknown, strange, stranger. inconsolable, _adj._ inconsolable.
incontestable, _adj._ incontestable. inconteste, -e, _adj._ uncontested.
incontinent, -e, _adj._ incontinent, intact; _adv._ at once. inconvenance, _f._ impropriety, improper remark. incorporer, _v._ to incorporate, take in. incredule, _adj._ incredulous.
incroyable, _adj._ incredible.
incruster, _v._ to incrust, inlay; incruste, -e, incrusted, fast.
indecence, _f._ indecency, immodesty. independamment, _adv._ independently.
Inde, _f._ India; Indes, _f. pl._ Indies, India. index, _m._ index, forefinger.
indice, _f._ indication, probable evidence. indicible, _adj._ unspeakable, unutterable. indienne, _f._ calico.
indifference, _f._ indifference.
indifferent, -e, _adj. and s._ indifferent, of no difference or importance, indifferent person, person of no concern. indigestion, _f._ indigestion.
indignation, _f._ indignation.
indigner, _v._ to make indignant; indigne, -e, indignant. indiquer, _v._ to indicate.
indiscret, -ete, _adj._ indiscreet. indiscretion, _f._ indiscretion.
indispensable, _adj._ indispensable. individu, _m._ individual.
industrie, _f._ industry, trade.
inebranlable, _adj._ unshakable, immovable. ineffable, _adj._ ineffable, unutterable. inegal, -e, _adj._ unequal, irregular.
inerte, _adj._ inert.
inexplicable, _adj._ inexplicable, unaccountable. inexprimable, _adj._ inexpressible, unutterable. inextinguible, _adj._ inextinguishable.
infaillible, _adj._ infallible.
infanterie, _f._ infantry.
infatigable, _adj._ indefatigable.
inferieur, -e, _adj._ inferior, lower. infernal, -e, _adj._ infernal.
infini, -e, _adj. and m._ infinite, infinity. infiniment, _adv._ infinitely.
infinite, _f._ infinite number.
infirme, _adj. and s._ infirm, weak, infirm person, cripple. inflexible, _adj._ inflexible.
infliger, _v._ to inflict.
influence, _f._ influence.
informer, _v._ to inform; s’–, inquire. infortune, -e, _adj. and s._ unfortunate, unfortunate person. infranchissable, _adj._ insuperable, impassable. ingenier (s’), _v._ to strive, tax one’s ingenuity. ingenieur, _m._ engineer.
ingenu, -e, _adj._ ingenuous, artless; ingenue, _f._ ingenuous young girl.
ingrat, -e, _adj. and s._ ungrateful, ingrate. inintelligible, _adj._ unintelligible.
injure, _f._ insult, wrong.
injustice, _f._ injustice.
innocent, -e, _adj._ innocent.
innombrable, _adj._ innumerable.
inoccupe, -e, _adj._ unoccupied.
inoffensif, -ive, _adj._ inoffensive. inondation, _f._ inundation, flood.
inonder, _v._ to flood.
inoui, -e, _adj._ unheard of.
inquiet, -ete, _adj._ anxious, uneasy, restless. inquieter, _v._ to disturb, worry; s’–, be disturbed, be uneasy, fret.
inquietude, _f._ disquietude, restlessness, anxiety. inquisiteur, -trice, _adj._ inquisitive, searching. insatiabfe, _adj._ insatiable.(_t_ pronounced as _c_). inscription, _f._ inscription.
insensible, _adj._ without feeling, indifferent, insensible. insensiblement, _adv._ insensibly.
insignifiant, -e, _adj._ insignificant. insister, _v._ to insist.
insolent, -e, _adj._ insolent.
insouciance, _f._ unconcern, carelessness. insouciant, -e, _adj._ careless, heedless. insoucieux, -euse, _adj._ thoughtless, unthinking. inspecter, _v._ to inspect.
inspirer, _v._ to inspire, instil.
installer, _v._ to install.
instant, _m._ instant; pour l’–, for the time being; il m’arrive a l’–, it has just come to me this instant. instinct, _m._ instinct (_ct_ not pronounced). instinctif, -ive, _adj._ instinctive.
instinctivement, _adv._ instinctively. instruction, _f._ instruction; juge d’–, examining magistrate.
instrument, _m._ instrument, tool.
insucces, _m._ failure.
insupportable, _adj._ insupportable. insurrection, _f._ insurrection.
intact, -e, _adj._ intact, untouched (_ct_ pronounced). intelligence, _f._ intelligence.
intelligent, -e, _adj._ intelligent. intention, _f._ intention, purpose.
interdire, _v._ to interdict, forbid, prohibit, dumbfound, amaze. interesser, _v._ to interest; interesse, -e, adj. interested, for gain; interessant, -e, interesting; cela vous interesse?, is that any business of yours?
interet, _m._ interest.
interieur, -e, _adj. and m._ interior, inside, mental. interieurement, _adv._ internally, mentally, in or on the inside. interminable, _adj._ interminable.
interpreter, _v._ to interpret.
interrogation, _f._ interrogation, questioning. interrogatoire, _m._ questioning, examination. interroger, _v._ to interrogate, question. interrompre, _v._ to interrupt; s’–, interrupt oneself, stop. interruption, _f._ interruption.
interstice, _m._ interstice, opening, crevice. intervalle, _m._ interval, space.
intime, _adj._ intimate.
intimider, _v._ to intimidate.
intonation, _f._ intonation.
intrepide, _adj._ intrepid, dauntless, fearless. intrigant, _m._ intriguer.
intriguer, _v._ to puzzle, perplex. introduire, _v._ to introduce, put or show in; s’–, introduce oneself, get in.
inusite, -e, _adj._ unused, unaccustomed. inutile, _adj._ useless, needless.
invariablement, _adv._ invariably.
invasion, _f._ invasion.
inventer, _v._ to invent.
invention, _f._ invention.
investigation, _f._ investigation.
invincible, _adj._ invincible, uncontrollable. invitation, _f._ invitation.
inviter, _v._ to invite; invite, -e, _m., f._ guest. involontaire, _adj._ involuntary.
invoquer, _v._ to invoke.
invraisemblable, _adj._ improbable, unlikely (_s_ pronounced as in _sembler_).
iraigne, dialectic for araignee.
Iran, _m._ Iran (Persia, also the surrounding countries of the great Asiatic plateau).
ironie, _f._ irony.
ironique, _adj._ ironical.
irrecusable, _adj._ unexceptionable, unobjectionable. irregulier, -ere, _adj._ irregular.
irreprochable, _adj._ irreproachable. irresistiblement, _adv._ irresistibly.
irresponsable, _adj._ irresponsible. irriter, _v._ to irritate; s’–, be irritated, be aroused. irruption, _f._ irruption, bursting, inroad. isoler, _v._ to isolate; isole, -e, isolated, solitary, detached.
issu, -e, _adj._ descending, born.
issue, _f._ issue, escape, exit.
italien, -ne, _adj. and s._ Italian (written Italien when _s._).
itou, _adv. and conj._ also (dialectic survival of the Old French _itel_).
ivoire, _m._ ivory.
ivre, _adj._ intoxicated, drunk.
ivrogne, _m._ drunkard.
J
j’, _see_ je.
jabot, _m._ frill.
Jacobite, _m._ Jacobite.
Jacquerie (la), name given to the uprising of the French peasants against the nobles in 1358.
Jacques, James.
Jacquette, _cf._ Jenny, Janet.
jadis, _adv._ of old, in former times (_s_ pronounced). jaillir, _v._ to burst forth or out, gush out, spurt, flash. jaloux, -ouse, _adj._ jealous.
jamais, _adv._ never, ever; ne … –, never. jambe, _f._ leg.
jambon, _m._ ham.
jante, _f._ rim (of a wheel).
janvier, _m._ January.
Japon, _m._ Japan. japonais, -e, _adj. and s._ Japanese (written Japonais when _s._).
jaquette, _f._ jacket.
jardin, _m._ garden.
jaser, _v._ to chatter, gossip.
jaspe, _m._ jasper.
jasper, _v._ to vein, streak, mottle. jatte, _f._ bowl.
jaunatre, _adj._ yellowish.
jaune, _adj. and m._ yellow; mettre la — au nid, to put the yellow hen on the nest.
Javotte, proper name (usually applied to talkative women). je, _conj. pr._ I.
Jean, John.
Jean-Baptiste (_p_ not pronounced), frequent Christian name (from: John the Baptist).
Jesus, Jesus; –!, _interj._ heavens!, etc. (_s_ pronounced). jet, _m._ jet.
jetee, _f._ jetty, pier.
jeter, _v._ to throw, cast, throw out, cast or give forth, throw down or away, utter; se –, throw oneself, etc., dart; la langue au chat, give up guessing.
jettatura, _f._ bewitching, spell (cast by the eyes, etc.; Italian). jeu, _m._ game, gambling, trick, set (of dominoes, etc.), gaming; — de mots, pun.
jeudi, _m._ Thursday.
jeune, _adj._ young, junior; — fille, girl. jeuner, _v._ to fast.
jeunesse, _f._ youth.
jeunet, -te, _adj._ too or very young, youthful. joie, _f._ joy.
joindre, _v._ to join, put together, meet, clasp, add, reach. joli, -e, _adj._ pretty, good looking.
joliment, _adv._ prettily, mighty (familiar in last sense). Jonquieres, name of several French villages, the one to which Daudet refers is in the department of Gard, near Beaucaire. Joseph, Joseph (see Genesis xxxvii, etc.). joue, _f._ cheek.
jouer, _v._ to play, stake; se –, play; faire –, start moving, bring into action, call up, move to and fro; — de, play (a musical instrument); — a, play (a game). jouet, _m._ toy, plaything.
joueur, _m._ player gambler.
jouir, _v._ to enjoy (object is preceded by de). jouissance, _f._ enjoyment, pleasure, delight. joujou, _m._ toy, plaything.
jour, _m._ day, daylight, daytime, light, opening; a –, open-work; au — levant, at daylight; faire –, to be light; ce n’est pas trop d’un –, a day is not too much. journal, _m._ newspaper.
journee, _f._ day.
joyeusement, _adv._ joyfully, gaily. joyeux, -euse, _adj._ joyous, merry, cheerful. juge, _m._ judge.
juger, _v._ to judge, consider.
juif, -ive, _adj. and s._ Jewish, Jew, Jewess. juin, _m._ June.
Julie, Julia.
Julien, Julian.
jument, _f._ mare.
jupe, _f._ skirt.
Jupiter, the father and master of the Greek and Roman gods; — Olympien, Olympian Jupiter (famous statue by Phidias at Olympia, called one of the seven marvels of the world). jupon, _m._ petticoat.
jurement, _m._ oath.
jurer, _v._ to swear.
juron, _m._ oath.
jusque, _prep._ to, up to, as far as, until; jusqu’a, to, as far as, up to, until, even; — la, till there, till then; jusqu’ici, till now; jusqu’a ce que, _conj._ until. juste, _adj. and adv._ just, exact, exactly; au –, exactly. justesse, _f._ accuracy, precision.
justice, _f._ justice, law, courts; homme de –, judge, lawyer, man of law.
justicier, _m._ justiciary, judge.
K
kandjar, _m._ long Oriental dagger.
Karl, Charles (German).
Kasba, _f._ casbah (citadel and palace of a sovereign in the Barbary States).
Kasper, Jasper (German).
kilometre, _m._ kilometer (5/8 mile). kiosque, _m._ kiosque (pavilion).
Kislar-agassi, _m._ the chief of the Eunuchs in the Imperial Harem (_kiz_ = girl or woman, in Turkish; _lar_ is the plural suffix; _aga_ = chief; _si_ is the possessive pronoun of the third persan; _kizlar-agasi_ = chief of the women).
kreutzer, _m._ kreutzer (German coin = 2/3 cent; pronounced in French: _creutsair_).
L
l’, used before on for euphony.
l’, _see_ le, la (_art. or pr._).
la, _see_ le.
la, _adv_. there, here (frequent as affix or suffix, when so used see word to which it is added); par –, that way, by there, over that way.
lac, _m._ lake.
lache, _adj._ cowardly.
lacher, _v._ to loosen, let out, release, undo, let go. lachete, _f._ cowardice, cowardly act.
laid, -e, _adj._ homely, ugly.
laine, _f._ wool; de –, woolen.
laique, _adj. and s._ secular, layman; a la –, outside the Church, among the laity.
laisse, _f._ leash.
laisser, _v._ to let, leave, let alone; — -la, leave alone, drop (an acquaintance, etc.); il ne laissait pas que de, he did not fail to.
lait, _m._ milk; enfant de –, nursling. laiteux, -euse, _adj._ milky.
lambeau, _m._ rag, shred; mettre en lambeaux, to tear in shreds. lambris, _m._ wainscoting, paneling.
lame, _f._ strip, blade, wave.
lamentable, _adj._ lamentable, sorrowful. lampe, _f._ lamp.
lance, _f._ lance; — a feu, squib, slow-match. lancer, _v._ to dart, throw, hurl, let go, send forth, cast, cast or throw out, start; — une casquette, introduce (or set the style for) a cap.
lande, _f._ waste-land, heath.
langage, _m._ language.
lange, _m._ piece of cloth (usually for wrapping a new-born child); strip (of cloth), swaddling-clothes (infrequent in singular). langue, _f._ tongue, language.
langueur, _f._ languor.
laniere, _f._ thong.
lanterne, _f._ lantern.
lapin, _m._ rabbit.
laps, _m._ lapse, period (_ps_ pronounced). laquais, _m._ lackey, footman.
lard, _m._ bacon.
large, _adj. and m._ broad, wide, sweeping, great, large, width, breadth, open sea; ouvert tout au –, wide open. larme, _f._ tear; rire aux larmes, to laugh till the tears came. larve, _f._ larva.
las, -se, _adj._ weary, tired.
latakie, _m._ latakia (a fine Turkish tobacco). lateral, -e, _adj._ lateral, side.
latin, -e, _adj. and s._ Latin.
laver, _v._ to wash.
le, la (l’, before vowels; les, _pl.), def. art._ the; de la sorte, in that way.
le, la (les, _pl._; lui, leur, indirect), _conj. pr._ him, her, it, so, them, to him, to them, etc. lecon, _f._ lesson.
lecture, _f._ reading.
legende, _f._ legend.
leger, -ere, _adj._ light (weight), slight, thin. legerement, _adv._ lightly, slightly.
legion, _f._ legion; Legion d’honeur, Legion of Honor (Order established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to reward merit). legitime, _adj._ legitimate.
legitimement, _adv._ legitimately.
leguer, _v._ to bequeath.
legume, _m._ vegetable.
lendemain, _m._ following day, next day. lent, -e, _adj._ slow.
lentement, _adv._ slowly.
lenteur, _f._ slowness; avec des lenteurs, slowly, with hesitation or deliberation.
lequel, laquelle (lesquels, lesquelles,_ pl.), rel. and int. pr._ which, who, which?, who?
les, _see_ le.
lessive, _f._ lye, washing; couler la –, to soak the clothes in lye, begin to wash.
lestement, _adv._ quickly, lightly. lettre, _f._ letter.
leur, _conj. pr._, see le; _adj._ their; le –, theirs.
Levallois-Perret, manufacturing suburb northwest of Paris. levee, _f._ raising, uprising, breaking up. lever, _v._ to raise; se –, rise, arise, get up, break (dawn); _m._ rise, rising; au jour leve (levant), at daybreak; leve, -e, up; au soleil levant, at sunrise. levre, _f._ lip; levres en fleur, full-blown lips (like a rose).
liane, _f._ bind-weed.
liasse, _f._ bundle, roll.
liberte, _f._ liberty.
libraire, _m._ bookseller, stationer. libre, _adj._ free, clear.
lien, _m._ bond.
lier, _v._ to bind, tie, tie up; lie, _m._ rubber (in games). lieu, _m._ place, spot; avoir –, to take place, have reason; au — de, instead of; donner — a, to cause. lieue, _f._ league (2~1/2 miles).
lieutenant, _m._ lieutenant.
lievre, _m._ hare.
ligne, _f._ line, fishing-line.
lilas, _m._ lilac, lilac-bush.
limpide, _adj._ limpid, clear.
linge, _m._ linen, cloth; pl. linen clothes; — sale, dirty linen or clothes; laver le –, to wash the clothes. lion, _m._ lion.
liqueur, _f._ liquor, cordial.
liquide, _adj. and m._ liquid.
lire, _v._ to read.
lis, _m._ lily (s pronounced).
lisere, _m._ strip.
lisiere, _f._ border, outskirts, selvage, list (cloth), string. lit, _m._ bed.
litiere, _f._ litter.
litre, _m._ liter (about 7/8 of a quart). litteraire, _adj._ literary.
litteralement, _adv._ literally.
litterature, _f._ literature.
livide, _adj._ livid.
livre, _m._ book; grand –, great book, ledger. livre, _f._ pound, franc.
livrer, _v._ to deliver, give over; se — a, devote or apply oneself to, give oneself over to; un combat se livra, a battle was fought.
livret, _m._ little book (of identification, etc., used as a passport). local, -e, _adj._ local.
locution, _f._ locution.
lofer, _v._ to luff (bring the head of a vessel to the wind). loge, _f._ lodge, porter’s room, box (theater). loger, _v._ to lodge, star.
logique, _adj._ logical.
logis, _m._ bouse, dwelling, lodge, lodging-house, lodgings. loi, _f._ law.
loin, _adv. and m._ far away, distant, distance; plus –, farther; de –, afar, at or from a distance; de — en –, from place to place, from time to time.
lointain, -e, _adj. and m._ distant, far away, distance. loisir, _m._ leisure.
long, -ue, _adj. and m._ long, length; le — de, along; tout de son –, de tout son –, his whole length; tout le — de, the whole; de — en large, to and fro.
longanimite, _f._ longanimity, forbearance. Longosardo, Sardinian village and port at the western entrance of the Strait of Bonifacio.
longtemps, _adv._ long time, long, for a long time. longuement, _adv._ for a long time, lengthily, lingeringly. longueur, _f._ length.
loque, _f._ rag, tatter.
lorgner, _v._ to squint at, look out of the corner of the eye, ogle, look through opera glasses.
lors, _adv._ then, that time; pour –, then, thereupon; depuis –, since then.
lorsque, _conj._ when.
louable, _adj._ laudable, praiseworthy. louage, _m._ letting, hiring, hire; de –, hired, livery, for hire.
louer, _v._ to praise, rent; se –, praise one self, be pleased (with).
louis, _m._ louis (gold piece=$4).
Louis XIV, known as Louis le Grand, most famous of the French kings; reigned: 1643-1715.
Louis XV, King of France; reigned: 1715-1774. loup, _m._ wolf; — cervier, lynx, speculator, sharper (especially one who speculates without principle on government enterprises); — de mer, sea-dog.
lourd, -e, _adj._ heavy, dull, drowsy, clumsy, burdensome. lourdement, _adv._ heavily.
lourdeur, _f._ heaviness, weight.
louvoyer, _v._ to tack (of a ship). loyal, -e, _adj._ loyal.
lucarne, _f._ dormer-window.
lubine, _f._ popular name for the fish called bar, umbrine (usually written lubin or loubin).
Lucien, Lucian.
Ludwig = Louis (German).
lueur, _f._ gleam, light.
lugubre, _adj._ mournful, lugubrious. lugubrement, _adv._ dolefully, lugubriously. lui, _conj. pr., see_ le; _disj. pr._ him, it, he, on his part, himself, itself.
lui-meme, elle-meme (eux-memes, elles-memes, _pl.), pr._ himself, herself, itself, etc.
luire, _v._ to shine.
lumiere, _f._ light; il faut que la — se fasse, it must be cleared up.
lumineux, -euse, _adj._ luminous.
lundi, _m._ Monday.
lune, _f._ moon, moonlight.
lunette, _f._ telescope; _pl._ spectacles. Luneville, town in the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle. luthier, _m._ lute-maker, seller of musical instruments. lutte, _f._ struggle, wrestling.
luxe, _m._ luxury.
lys, _m._ lily (s pronounced; now written lis).
M
M., abbreviation for Monsieur; m’, _see_ me. ma, _see_ mon.
macher, _v._ to chew.
machinal, -e, _adj._ mechanical.
machinalement, _adv._ mechanically. machoire, _f._ jaw.
machonner, _v._ to munch, chew.
maconner, _v._ to build, wall up; voute maconnee, vaulted masonry.
madame (mesdames, _pl.), f._ Mrs., Madam. Madeleine (la), _f._ one of the principal and richest churches in Paris, having the form of a Greek temple, built between 1764 and 1842. mademoiselle, _f._ Miss, young lady.
madrigal, _m._ madrigal (love poem). maestro, _m._ composer (Italian, = master). magasin, _m._ warehouse, store, shop, storehouse. mage, _m._ magian, astrologer; _pl._ magi, Wise Men (Bible). magicien, _m._ magician, wizard.
magique, _adj._ magic.
magistrat, _m._ magistrate.
magistrature, _f._ magistracy; — assise, judicial magistracy. magnanime, _adj._ magnanimous, high-minded. magnetique, _adj._ magnetic.
magnetiser, _v._ to magnetize.
magnificence, _f._ magnificence, splendor. magnifique, _adj._ magnificent.
Mahnoud-Ben-Ahmed, Mahmud-Ben-Ahmed (the first and last names have been borne by several Sultans of Turkey; Ben is the Hebrew word for son, it is not Arahic).
Mahomet, Mohammed (founder of the Mohammedan religion, born in Mecca c. 571, died in 632).
mai, _m._ May.
maigre, _adj. and s._ thin, scanty, meager, thin person. maigreur, _f._ thinness.
maigrir, _v._ to grow thin.
maille, _f._ mesh, aperture.
main, _f._ hand; mettre la — sur, to lay hold of. maint, -e, _adj._ many, many a.
maintenant, _adv._ now.
maintenir, _v._ to maintain, keep, hold. maire, _m._ mayor.
mais, _conj._ but; — si, why yes; — non, why no, no indeed, no I tell you.
maison, _f._ house, household; — de ville, town-hall. maitre, _m._ master, teacher, Squire or Mr. (title); — d’hotel, head-waiter, butler.
maitresse, _f._ mistress, sweetheart. majeste, _f._ majesty.
majestueusement, _adv._ majestically. majestueux, -euse, _adj._ majestic.
major, _m._ major.
majuscule, _adj. and f._ capital.
mal, -e, _adj._ (used only in a few phrases), bad, evil; male rage (also written as one word), rage, fury.
mal, _adv. and m._ evil, wrong, ill, in a bad way, sore, badly, poorly, indistinctly, harm, trouble, damage, malady; faire — a, to hurt; — noir, gangrene; (familiarly used as _adj._) bad, ill; faire — a la tete, to give a headache.
malade, _adj. and s._ ill, sick, sick man, patient. maladie, _f._ malady, illness.
maladif, ~ive, _adj._ sickly, unhealthy. male, _adj. and m._ male, man.
Malesherbes (Boulevard), handsome street in the north-western section of Paris, named after the minister of Louis XVI, who was beheaded in the French Revolution (h not pronounced). malgre, _prep._ in spite of.
malheur, _m._ misfortune, accident, bad luck, unhappiness. malheureusement, _adv._ unfortunately.
malheureux, -euse, _adj. and s._ unhappy, wretched, unfortunate, unlucky, wretch, unfortunate person.
malicieux, -euse, _adj._ mischievous, roguish, malicious. malin, -igne, _adj. and s._ cunning, sly, shrewd, cunning person, rogue.
Maloisel, proper name; _oisel_ in Old French = oiseau. Maloison, proper name, _cf._ oison, _m._ gosling. malpropre, _adj._ dirty, unclean.
maltraiter, _v._ to maltreat, use roughly. maman, _f._ mama.
mamelle, _f._ breast, teat, udder.
manche, _f._ sleeve; la Manche, the English Channel; _m._ handle.
manchot, -e, _adj. and s._ one-armed, one-armed person. manege, _m._ horsemanship, riding-school, riding-grounds. mangeaille, _f._ victuals.
manger, _v._ to eat, eat up; apporter a –, bring something to eat.
mangeur, _m._ eater.
manie, _f._ mania, fancy.
maniement, _m._ handling.
maniere, _f._ manner; _pl._ manners. manivelle, _f._ crank, handle.
manifester, _v._ to manifest, make known, show. manne, _f._ manna, hamper.
mannequin, _m._ manikin, dummy, man of straw. manoeuvrer, _v._ to manoeuver, perform evolutions, drill, move. manque, _m._ lack, want.
manquer, _v._ to be lacking, be missing, lack, miss, come near, fail; il n’y manquait pas, he did not fail to do it. mansarde, _f._ attic, garret, garret-window, Mansard window or roof. manteau, _m._ mantle, cloak.
maquignon, _m._ horse dealer, jockey. maquis, _m._ thicket (in Corsica).
marais, _m._ marsh, swamp.
Marais, _m._ quarter in Paris, north of the Hotel de Ville, more usually called the Temple.
maraudeur, _m._ marauder.
marbre, _m._ marble.
marchand, -e, _m., f._ merchant, peddler. marchandise, _f._ (also _pl._) merchandise, wares, goods. marche, _f._ march, walk, walking, pace, gait, step, progress, move, moving, motion; marches perdues, superfluous steps (that lead to nothing).
marche, _m._ market, market-place, bargain, bargaining; a bon –, cheap, cheaply; par-dessus le –, into the bargain. marcher, _v._ to march, go on, walk, go, proceed. mardi, _m._ Tuesday.
mare, _f._ pool.
marecage, _m._ marsh, bog, swamp.
marechal, _m._ marshal, blacksmith. mari, _m._ husband.
mariage, _m._ marriage.
Marie, Mary.
marier, _v._ to marry, marry off, blend; se –, get married; se — avec, marry; marie avec, married to; marie, _m._ bridegroom.
Marignan, Melegnano (Italian town near Milan, where the French defeated the Swiss in 1515).
marin, -e, _adj. and m._ marine, of the sea, sailor. marine, _f._ marine, navy, shipping; officier de –, naval officer.
maritime, _adj._ maritime.
marmaille, _f._ brats.
marmite, _f._ pot.
marmot, _m._ brat, little boy.
marmotter, _v._ to mutter, mumble.
marque, _f._ mark, track, token.
marquer, _v._ to mark, show, indicate. marquis, -e, _m., f._ marquis, marchioness. marron, _m._ large chestnut.
Marseille, Marseilles (principal seaport and second city in France). marteau, _m._ hammer.
martial, -e, _adj._ martial (_t_ pronounced as _c_). Martin, Martin (often applied to a simple person). massacre, _m._ massacre.
massacrer, _v._ to massacre, slay;
massacrant, ~e, _adj._ murderous.
massif, -ive, _adj._ massive, solid. mat, -e, _adj._ dull, dim, frosted.
mat, _m._ mast.
matelas, _m._ mattress.
matelot, _m._ sailor, seaman.
materiel, -le, _adj._ material, concrete. maternel, -le, _adj._ maternal, on the mother’s side. matiere, _f._ matter; en — de, in regard to. matin, _m._ morning, dawn.
matin, _m._ mastiff, cur, rascal.
matinal, -e, _adj._ morning, early, in the morning. matinee, _f._ morning.
maudire, _v._ to curse; maudit, -e, cursed. maujeure, _f._ a dialectic word used in Toine in the sense of: fever. mauresque, _adj._ Moorish.
maussade, _adj._ cross, sour, ill-humored, sulky. mauvais, -e, _adj. and s._ bad, wretched, evil, mean, dirty, ill (humor), poor.
me, _conj. pr._ me, to me.
-me, abbreviation of numerals; 2me, 3me, 4me, etc. (for deuxieme, etc.).
mecanique, _adj._ mechanical.
mechancete, _f._ malice, ill will.
mechant, -e, _adj._ naughty, mean, mischievous, bad, malicious, wicked, wretched.
mecontent, -e, _adj._ dissatisfied. Mecque (la), Mecca (holy city of the Mohammedans, in Arabia). medaille, _f._ medal.
medecin, _m._ doctor, physician.
mediocre, _adj._ mediocre, only moderate. meditatif, -ive, _adj._ meditative, thoughtful. meditation, _f._ meditation.
mediter, _v._ to meditate, think over. Mediterranee, _f._ Mediterranean Sea.
mefiance, _f._ distrust.
meilleur, -e, _adj._ better; le –, best. melancolie, _f._ melancholy, melancholia. melancolique, _adj._ melancholy.
melee, _f._ scuffle, fight.
meler, _v._ to mingle, mix, confuse; se — de, meddle with, mind; se — a (avec), mingle with, take part in. melodie, _f._ melody.
melodieux, -euse, _adj._ melodious. membraneux, -euse, _adj._ membranous.
membre, _m._ member, limb.
meme, _adj. and adv._ same, self, very, even; de –, in the same way, at the same time.
memoire, _f._ memory.
memorable, _adj._ memorable.
menacer, _v._ to menace, threaten.
menage, _m._ housekeeping, household; faire son petit –, to have one’s own sweet will.
menager, -ere, _m., f._ thrifty persan, housekeeper. mendiant, -e, _m., f._ beggar.
mendicite, _f._ mendicity; etre a la –, to be reduced to beggary.
mener, _v._ to lead, bring, take, drive. menetrier, _m._ fiddler.
menottes, _f. pl._ handcuffs.
mensonge, _m._ lie.
mentir, _v._ to lie.
menton, _m._ chin.
menu, -e, _adj. and m._ thin, small, trifling, light, bill of fare. menuet, _m._ minuet.
menuisier, _m._ cabinet-maker, joiner. mepris, _m._ contempt, scorn.
meprisable, _adj._ contemptible.
mepriser, _v._ to despise.
mer, _f._ sea, tide.
mercenaire, _adj. and s._ mercenary, hireling. merci, _f._ mercy, thanks, thank you (masculine with grand); Dieu –, thank God.
mercier, _m._ mercer, haberdasher.
mercredi, _m._ Wednesday.
mere, _f._ mother.
meringue, _f._ meringue, light pastry with whipped cream. merite, _m._ merit, worth.
meriter, _v._ to merit, deserve.
meritoire, _adj._ meritorious.
merle, _m._ blackbird.
Merope, a tragedy by Voltaire (1743). merveilleusement, _adv._ marvelously, wonderfully. merveilleux, -euse, _adj._ wonderful, marvelous. mes, _see_ mon.
mesdames, _see_ madame.
messe, _f._ mass.
mesure, _f._ measure, proportion; a –, in proportion or succession as (another action takes place); en –, in time, in proportion; a — que, in proportion as.
mesurer, _v._ to measure.
metamorphose, _f._ metamorphosis.
meticuleux, -euse, _adj._ over-scrupulous, fastidious. metier, _m._ trade, loom.
metre, _m._ meter (39 inches).
mette, _f._ metal (Old French).
mettre, _v._ to put, place, put on, set, put in place, take (time); se — a, begin, set out in; se — en route, start; se — en mouvement, begin to move; se — a table, seat oneself at table; se — en colere, get angry; se — en marche, set out on the march; se — au jeu, get in the game; se — en bataille, form for battle; se — dans tous ses atours, attire oneself in all one’s finery; — dans, put in, hit; — bas, take off; — pied a terre, dismount; — en pieces, tear or dash to pieces; — a la porte, put out of doors; — la police en l’air, stir up the police; — le feu, set fire; — en fuite, set to flight. meuble, _m._ piece of furniture, furniture, _pl._ furniture. meubler, _v._ to furnish.
meunier, _m._ miller;
meurtre, _m._ murder.
meurtrier, _m._ murderer.
meurtrir, _v._ to bruise; avoir le coeur meurtri, to be sick at heart.
meute, _f._ pack (of hounds, etc.). mi, _adv. and adj._ (invariable), equally; a — -chemin, half way.
Michel, Michael.
midi, _m._ midday, noon, twelve o’ciock, south; Midi, _m._ South of France; les pleins midis, the midday heat. miel, _m._ honey.
mien, -ne, _poss. adj. pr._ (usually with article), mine. miette, _f._ crumb.
mieux, _adv._ better, more, more comfortable; tant –, so much the better; de son –, the best he can, etc.; le –, best; regardez –, look more closely.
mignon, -ne, _adj._ and s. darling, dainty, cunning, dear little. migraine, _f._ sick-headache.
milice, _f._ militia.
milieu, _m._ middle, midst, middle ground, surroundings. militaire, _adj. and m._ military, soldier. mille, _card._ one thousand; — et deuxieme, _ord._ thousand and second (in this and in the next two words _ll_ is not liquid). millier, _m._ about one thousand, thousand. million, _m._ million.
Milon, Milo.
minaret, _m._ minaret.
minauder, _v._ to simper, mince, smirk. minauderie, _f._ smirking, simpering.
mince, _adj._ thin, slender, narrow. mine, _f._ look, appearance.
mine, _f._ mine.
minerai, _m._ ore.
ministere, _m._ department (of a cabinet minister), building for the administration offices, ministry, cabinet. ministre, _m._ minister; adjectively: ministerial. minuit, _m._ midnight.
minute, _f._ minute; de cinq minutes en cinq minutes, every five minutes.
minutieux, -euse, _adj._ minute, searching (_t_ pronounced as _c_). mioche, _m., f._ brat, youngster.
miracle, _m._ miracle.
mirage, _m._ mirage.
miroir, _m._ mirror.
miroiter, _v._ to glitter, shine, reflect light. Miromesnil (rue de), Parisian street crossing the Boulevard Malesherbes (pronounced: _Miromenil_).
miserable, _adj. and s._ miserable, wretched, wretch. misere, _f._ misery, destitution, hardship. misericorde, _f._ mercy.
Moallakats, a collection of seven Arabic poems of different authors in the 6th and 7th centuries (also written Moallakat). mobile, _adj._ movable, mobile, unsteady, variable, in motion, restless. mode, _f._ manner, style, fashion; marchande de modes, milliner; a la –, in style.
modele, _m._ model.
moderation, _f._ moderation.
modere, -e, _adj._ moderate.
moderne, _adj._ modern.
modeste, _adj._ modest.
modestement, _adv._ modestly.
modestie, _f._ modesty.
modifier, _v._ to modify.
moelle, _f._ marrow (in this and in the next word _oe_ is pronounced as _oi_ in moi).
moelleux, -euse, _adj._ soft.
moeurs, _f. pl._ manners, habits, customs (_s_ pronounced). moi, _conj. and disj. pr._ me, to me, I, myself. moignon, _m._ stump (of an arm, etc.).
moi-meme, _pr._ myself, I myself.
moindre, _adj._ less; le –, least, the slightest. moins, _adv._ less, the less; le –, least; au –, at least; du –, at least; a — que or de, unless; pour le –, at the least.
mois, _m._ month.
moisissure, _f._ mold.
moisson, _f._ harvest.
moite, _adj._ moist, damp.
moitie, _f._ half; a –, half.
moleskine, _f._ moleskin (corduroy, etc.; sometimes applied to imitation leather).
mollesse, _f._ softness, laxness, enervation. molleton,_ m._ swanskin (soft woollen stuff). molosse, _m._ mastiff.
mome, _m., f._ youngster, “kldquo;kid” (familiar). moment, _m._ moment.
momie, _f._ mummy.
mon, ma (mes, _pl.), poss. adj. pr._ my. monarchie, _f._ monarchy.
Monceau (le parc), an attractive park in the northwestern section of Paris.
monde, _m._ world, people, society; tout le –, everybody. monnaie, _f._ change, coin.
monocle, _m._ monocle.
monotone, _adj._ monotonous.
monsieur (messieurs, _pl.), m._ mister, sir, gentleman, the gentleman; abbreviated: M., Mr.; — son pere, his father (pronounced: _mesieu_).
monstre, _m. and adj._ monster, monstrous. monstrueux, ~euse, _adj._ monstrous.
mont, _m._ mount.
montagne, _f._ mountain.
monter, _v._ to mount, go up, ascend, come up, get in. Montivilliers, small Norman town between le Havre and Fecamp (_ll_ not liquid).
montre, _f._ watch, exhibition, show-window. montrer, _v._ to show, indicate, point out; se –, show oneself, appear.
montueux, -euse, _adj._ hilly.
monture, _f._ mount, horse (for riding). monumental, -e, _adj._ monumental.
moquer, _v._ to mock; se — de, make fun of, care nothing about; s’en — pas mal, not care a rap about it. moral, -e, _adj._ moral, mental; faire de la morale a, to preach to, exhort.
morceau, _m._ morsel, bit, piece.
mordieu, _interj._ by heaven!, etc. mordre, _v._ to bite.
morgue, _f._ pride, arrogance.
morne, _adj._ gloomy, mournful, sad. mornifle, _f._ slap on the jaws.
morsure, _f._ bite.
mort, _f._ death; — -qui-trompe, deceptive death, death in ambush.
mortel, -le, _adj. and s._ mortal.
mortifier, _v._ to mortify.
morue, _f._ codfish.
mosaique, _f._ mosaic.
Moscou, Moscow.
mosquee, _f._ mosque.
mot, _m._ word; un bon –, a witty remark. motif, _m._ motive.
motte, _f._ clod, lump.
mou, molle, _adj._ soft, nerveless, flabby. mouche, _f._ fly; faire –, to hit the bull’s-eye; — a vapeur, small steamboat used on French rivers. moucheron, _m._ gnat, “kldquo;kid” (slang in the latter sense). moucheter, _v._ to spot, speckle.
mouchoir, _m._ handkerchief.
moufle, _f._ mitten.
mouiller, _v._ to wet, bathe, cast (anchor); se –, become wet.
mouillure, _f._ wetness, wetting, dampness. moulin, _m._ mill.
mourir, _v._ to die; se –, be dying; faire –, make die, kill, execute; — pour –, as well die one time as another; mort -e, _adj. and s._ dead, spent (bullet), dead man, etc. mousquet, _m._ musket.
mousqueterie, _f._ musketry.
mousse, _f._ moss, foam.
mousse, _m._ cabin-boy.
mousseline, _f._ muslin.
mousseux, -euse, _adj._ foamy, frothy. moustache, _f._ mustache.
moutard, _m._ urchin, brat.
mouton, _m._ sheep, mutton.
mouvement, _m._ movement, motion, impulse. mouvoir, _v._ to move; mouvant, -e, adj. moving, busy. moyen, -ne, _adj. and m._ average, mean, medium, middle, means, resource, way; au — de, by means of.
moyenageux, -euse, _adj._ medieval. Mozart, (Wolfgang Amadeus), noted German composer of _Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Requiem_; etc., (1756-1791). muet, -te, _adj. and s._ mute, silent.
muezzin, _m._ muezzin (Mohammedan priest who announces from the minaret the hour for prayer).
mule, _f._ mule.
mulon, _m._ great heap of salt.
Munster, Muenster (small Alsatian town). mur, _m._ wall.
mur, -e, _adj._ ripe, mature.
muraille, _f._ wall, rampart.
murer, _v._ to wall up.
murir, _v._ to ripen, mature, develop. murmure, _m._ murmur, murmuring.
murmurer, _v._ to murmur.
mutualite, _f._ mutuality.
muscle, _m._ muscle.
muse, _f._ muse.
musicien, _m._ musician.
musique, _f._ music; faire de la –, to play. mystere, _m._ mystery.
mysterieux, -euse, _adj._ mysterious. mystification, _f._ mystification, hoax. mythologique, _adj._ mythological.
N
n’, _see_ ne.
nabab, _m._ nabob.
nacre, _f._ mother-of-pearl.
nager, _v._ to swim.
naguere, _adv._ lately, but now, not long ago. naissance, _f._ birth.
naitre, to be born; ne, -e, born.
naivement, _adv._ ingenuously, artlessly. Nantes, important city on the lower Loire. Napoleon III, French Emperor
from 1852 to 1870.
nappe, _f._ tablecloth, sheet (of water, light, etc.). narguer, _v._ to defy, snap one’s fingers at. narguilhe, _m._ narghile (Oriental water pipe for smoking; usually written narguile).
narine, _f._ nostril.
natal, -e, _adj._ natal, native.
natif, -ive, _adj. and s_. native.
national, -e, _adj._ national.
nature, _f._ nature, kind.
naturel, -le, _adj. and m._ natural, disposition, nature, naturalness.
naturellement, _adv._ naturally.
naviguer, _v._ to sail.
navire, _m._ ship, vessel.
navrer, _v._ to break the heart of; navrant, -e, heartrending, distressing; navre, -e, heart-broken; le coeur navre, heart-broken.
ne, _adv._ (usually with pas, point, etc.), not (frequently pleonastic).
neanmoins, _adv._ nevertheless, notwithstanding. nebuieux, -euse, _adj._ nebulous, glooiny, disturbing. necessaire, _adj._ necessary.
necessite, _f._ necessity.
necropole, _f._ necropolis (catacombs). negliger, _v._ to neglect, slight.
negociant, _m._ merchant, trader.
negre, _adj. and m._ negro.
neige, _f._ snow; eau de –, melted snow, water chilled with snow.
nerf, _m._ nerve, sinew (_f_ pronounced). nerveux, -euse, _adj._ nervous.
Nesmond, noble French family prominent in the 17th and 18th centuries. net, -te, _adj._ neat, clear, short; couper –, to cut short or squarely off (_t_ pronounced).
nettement, _adv._ clearly, plainly. nettete, _f._ neatness, clearness, distinctness. nettoyer, _v._ to clean, clean out.
neuf, _card._ nine.
neuf, neuve, new; de –, freshly.
neveu, _m._ nephew; petit –, great nephew. Newton (Sir Isaac), the famous English mathematician, physicist, astronomer and philosopher, especially noted for his discovery of the laws of gravitation and for his work on light (1642-1727). nez, _m._ nose; devant le –, before the face; fermer sur le –, to shut in the face (pronounced: _ne_). ni, _conj._ nor; — … –, neither … nor. niaiserie, _f._ nonsense.
niche, _f._ niche, recess, kennel.
Nicolas, Nicholas.
nid, _m._ nest.
niece, _f._ niece.
Nil (le), _m._ the Nile.
Nimes, city in the department of Gard. noble, _adj. and s._ noble.
noblesse, _f._ nobility.
noce, _f._ wedding; _pl._ wedding.
Noel, _m._ Christmas; la –, the Christmas festival; le petit –, Santa Claus.
noir, -e, _adj. and m._ black; le Noir, gangrene; voir tout en –, to look on the dark side of everything. noircir, _v._ to blacken.
noircisseur, _m._ dyer in black, scribbler. noix, _f._ nut, Middle part, pope’s eye (of meat). nom, _m._ name; — de –, euphemistic oath. nombre, _m._ number; — de, a number of. nombreux, -euse, _adj._ numerous.
nommer, _v._ to name; nomme, -e, _adj. and s._ named, one called.
non, adv. no, not; — pas, not, not at all. non bis in idem, not twice in the same place (Latin). nonchalamment, _adv._ nonchalantly, carelessly, heedlessly. nonchalant, -e, _adj._ listless, unmindful, nonchalant. non-seulement, _adv._ not only.
nopal, _m._ nopal (cactus).
nord, _m._ north; — est, north-east (_d_ is not pronounced in nord, but is pronounced in nord-est).
normal, -e, _adj._ normal, natural. normand, -e, _adj. and s._ Norman (written Normand when _s._). Normandie, _f._ Normandy (former French province on the English Channel). nos, _see_ notre.
notable, _adj._ notable.
notaire, _m._ notary.
notamment, _adv._ especially, particularly. note, _f._ note, bill.
notion, _f._ notion, idea.
notre (nos, _pl.), poss. adj. pr._ our. notre, _poss. adj. pr._ ours (usually with article). nouer, _v._ to knot, tie, tie up.
noueux, -euse, _adj._ knotty, knotted. Nourmahal, popular Oriental name because of the wife of a Mogul emperor, who bore this name in the 17th century. nourrice, _f._ wet-nurse.
nourrir, _v._ to nourish, nurse, support, feed. nourriture, _f._ food.
nous, _conj. and disj. pr._ we, us, to us. nous-memes, _pr._ we ourselves, ourselves. nouveau, (nouvel before vowels), -elle, _adj._ new, other; de –, anew, again; nouvelle(s), f. news, piece of news, story (longer than the conte and shorter than the roman); de vos nouvelles, news of you; —ne, new-born child, etc.; avoir des nouvelles de, to hear from.
nouvellement, _adv._ newly, recently. Novare, Novara (city of northern Italy). novembre, _m._ November.
noyau, _m._ stone (of fruit).
noyer, _v._ to drown, swamp.
nu, -e, _adj._ naked, bare; a –, bare, exposed, openly; — pieds, barefooted.
nuage, _m._ cloud.
nuageux, -euse, _adj._ cloudy, somber. nuance, _f._ tint, shade.
nudite, _f._ nudity, nakedness, bareness. nuee, _f._ thick cloud.
nuire, _v._ to injure, be harmful.
nuit, _f._ night; la –, the night, at night. nul, -le, _adj. and pr._ no, no one.
nullement, _adv._ in no wise, by no means. numero, _m._ number.
nuptial, -e, _adj._ nuptial, marriage (_t_ pronounced as _c_). nuque, _f._ nape (of the neck).
O
o, _interj._ O!
obeir, _v._ to obey.
obeissance, _f._ obedience.
objet, _m._ object.
obligeamment, _adv._ obligingly, courteously. obliger, _v._ to oblige; obligeant, -e, adj. kind; rester l’oblige, remain the debtor.
oblique, _adj._ oblique, slanting.
obscur, -e, _adj._ obscure, clark.
obscurcir, _v._ to darken.
obscurite, _f._ obscurity, darkness. obseder, _v._ to beset (in this and in the next two words _b_ is pronounced as _p_).
observation, _f._ observation.
observer, _v._ to observe, watch, look at. obstacle, _m._ obstacle.
obstination, _f._ obstinacy.
obstine, -e, _adj._ obstinate.
obstinement, _adv._ obstinately.
obstruer, _v._ to obstruct.
obtenir, _v._ to obtain, get (_b_ pronounced as _p_). obus, _m._ shell (_s_ pronounced as _z_). occasion, _f._ occasion, opportunity, cause. occupation, _f._ occupation.
occuper, _v._ to occupy; s’–, occupy oneself, be occupied, busy oneself, attend.
ocean, _m._ ocean.
odalisque, _f._ odalisque (slave of a woman in the harem). odeur, _f._ odor.
odorant, -e, _adj._ odorous, fragrant, sweet-smelling. odorat, _m._ sense of smell.
oeil (yeux, pl.), _m._ eye, glance; regarder d’un — favorable, to look upon favorably.
oeillade, _f._ ogling, sheep’s eye. oesophage, _m._ esophagus (pronounced: _esophage_). oeuf, _m._ egg (_f_ pronounced in the singular, but not in the plural).
offense, _f._ offense, affront.
offenser, _v._ to offend, hurt, injure, insult; offensant, -e, _adj._ offensive.
offensif, -ive, _adj._ offensive.
officier, _m._ officer.
offre, _f._ offer.
offrir, _v._ to offer, offer the opportunity or the hospitality of; s’–, be offered, be presented; m’– sa maison, offer me the hospitality of his house; — a boire, offer a drink to. oh, _interj._ oh!
ohe, _interj._ ho!, hello!
oiseau, _m._ bird; — -mouche, humming-bird. oisivete, _f._ idleness.
olive, _f._ olive, ornament or button of this shape. olympien, -ne, _adj._ Olympian.
ombre, _f_. shade, shadow.
ombre, -e, _adj._ shaded.
omelette, _f_. omelet.
omettre, _v._ to omit.
omnibus, _m._ omnibus (_s_ pronounced). on, _indef. pr._ one, people, they, you, we (accompanying verb may often be translated as a passive).
oncle, _m._ uncle; — a la mode de Bretagne, first cousin. onde, _f._ wave, billow.
ondee, _f._ shower.
ongle, _m._ nail, claw.
onze, _card._ eleven (elision no longer allowed before this word). opera, _m._ opera.
operation, _f._ operation.
operer, _v._ to operate; s’–, be effected, wrought. opinion _f._ opinion.
opposer, _v._ to oppose, prevent; si ca ne vous opposait pas, if you didn’t mind.
or, _conj._ now, but.
or, _m._ gold.
orage, _m._ storm.
orateur, _m._ orator.
orchestre, _m._ orchestra (_ch_ pronounced as _k_). ordinaire, _adj._ ordinary, usual; d’–, a l’–, ordinarily; a son –, as usual, in his usual manner. ordinairement, _adv._ ordinarily.
ordonnance, _f._ ordinance, regulation, orderly; pistolet d’–, army pistol.
ordonner, _v._ to order.
ordre, _m._ order.
oreille, _f._ ear; dire a l’– a, to say in a low tone to. oreiller, _m._ pillow.
orfevre, _m._ goldsmith.
organiser, _v._ to organize, form, start, make. orgueil, _m._ pride.
orgueilleux, -euse, _adj._ proud.
Orient, _m._ Orient, East.
oriental, -e, _adj. and s._ Oriental. original, -e, _adj. and m._ original.
originel, -le, _adj._ original, primitive (chiefly used in such phrases as: peche –, etc.).
ormeau, _m._ young elm.
ornement, _m._ ornament.
orner, _v._ to ornament, adorn.
orniere, _f._ rut.
orphelin, _m._ orphan.
os, _m._ bone (_s_ pronounced in the singular, but not in the plural).
osciller, _v._ to oscillate, swing, sway. oser, _v._ to dare.
Osiris, ancient Egyptian god, protector of the dead and a sun god, husband and brother of Isis.
osseux, -euse, _adj._ bony, knarled. oter, _v._ to remove, take off or away.
ou, _conj._ or; — … –, either … or; — bien, or, or on the other band.
ou, _adv._ where, in which, when; d’–, whence, from where, out of which; par –?, which way?, by which?; dans le cas –, in case.
oublier, _v._ to forget; s’– a dormir, forget and go to sleep. ouest, _m._ west (_st_ pronounced).
ouf, _interj._ oh!, ah! (usually expresses relief). oui, _adv._ yes.
ouragan, _m._ hurricane.
ourdisseur, -euse, _m., f._ warper. outil, _m._ tool.
outre, _prep. and adv._ beyond, beside; en –, in addition, besides; — Manche, across the Channel.
ouverture, _f._ opening.
ouvrage, _m._ work, work of art, structure. ouvrage, -e, _adj._ worked, figured, wrought, carved. ouvrier, -ere, _adj. and s._ working, workman, workwoman. ouvrir, _v._ to open; s’–, open, draw aside; ouvert, -e, open, frank, cordial.
P
pacifique, _adj._ pacific, peaceful.
pacifiquement, _adv._ peacefully, peaceably. page, _f._ page.
paien, -ne, _adj. and s._ pagan.
paillasse, _f._ straw mattress.
paille, _f._ straw.
pailleter, _v._ to bespangle.
paillette, _f._ spangle, golden flake. pain, _m._ bread, loaf; bon comme le –, good as gold. paire, _f._ pair.
paisiblement, _adv._ peacefully.
paix, _f._ peace.
palais, _m._ palace; — de justice, court-house. Palais-Bourbon, _m._ palace on the left bank of the Seine opposite the Place de la Concorde, erected in 1722, for a member of the Bourbon family, now used by the Chamber of Deputies. palanquin, _m._ palanquin (litter).
pale, _adj._ pale.
paletot, _m._ overcoat.
paleur, _f._ pallor.
palier, _m._ landing (of a staircase). palir, _v._ to become pale.
palissade, _f._ palisade, stockade. palmier, _m._ palm, palm-tree.
palot, -te, _adj._ palish, wan.
palpiter, _v._ to palpitate; palpitant, -e, adj. palpitating, throbbing, quivering.
paludier, _m._ salt-maker.
pan, _m._ side, skirt, face.
pan, _interj._ bang!
panier, _m._ basket, hoop-skirt.
panneau, _m._ panel.
panse, _f._ paunch, belly.
pansement, _m._ dressing.
pantalon, _m._ pair of trousers, trousers. pantin, _m._ jumping-jack.
Paolo, Paul (Italian).
paon, _m._ peacock; yeux de –, peacock’s eyes (of the feathers; _o_ not pronounced).
papa, _m._ papa; p’pa, baby’s pronunciation of papa. pape, _m._ pope.
papier, _m._ paper; _pl._ papers, passport. papillon, _m._ butterfly.
papyrus, _m._ papyrus (paper and plant; _s_ pronounced). Paques, _m._ Easter.
paquet, _m._ package, pack, bundle, mass. par, _prep._ by, through, with, because of, for, along, by way of, in, in the name of, on; — jour, a day.
paradis, _m._ paradise.
paraitre, _v._ to appear.
paralyser, _v._ to paralyze.
paralytique, _adj. and s._ paralyzed, paralytic. parapet, _m._ parapet.
parbleu, _interj._ gad!, upon my word!, by George! parc, _m._ park (_c_ pronounced).
parcelle, _f._ bit, parcel.
parce que, _conj._ because.
parcourir, _v._ to run through or over, look over, cover; — de l’oeil, glance over.
pardi, _interj._ truly, certainly, by George!, really. pardon, _m._ pardon, I beg your pardon.
pardonner, _v._ to pardon.
pareil, -le, _adj. and s._ similar, like, such, such a. pareillement, _adv._ similarly, likewise, too. parent, -e, _m., f._ relative; _pl._ relatives, parents. parer, _v._ to adorn, attire, dress up, ward off, parry. parfait, -e, _adj._ perfect.
parfaitement, _adv._ perfectly.
parfois, _adv._ at times.
parfum, _m._ perfume, flavor.
parfumer, _v._ to perfume, scent.
parfumerie, _f._ perfumery.
parier, _v._ to wager, bet.
Paris, Paris.
parisien, -ne, _adj. and s._ Parisian (written Parisien when _s._).
parlementaire, _adj._ parliamentary. parler, _v._ to speak, talk, talk of.
parmi, _prep._ among.
paroisse, _f._ parish, parish., church. parole, _f._ word, speech; prendre la –, to speak; adresser la — a, speak to.
paroli, _m._ paroli, double stake or bet. parrain, _m._ godfather.
part, _f._ part, direction, share; d’une –, on the one hand; d’autre –, on the other hand; quelque –, somewhere, anywhere; de — en –, through and through. partager, _v._ to share, divide, distribute. parterre, _m._ rear of orchestra, pit (theater). parti, _m._ party, decision, side, match; prendre le (son) –, to make up one’s (his) mind; prendre un –, come to a decision, en tirer –, reap advantage, profit by it.
participation, _f._ participation.
participer, _v._ to participate, take part, be an accomplice. particulier, -ere, _adj._ particular, peculiar, private. particulierement, _adv._ particularly.
partie, _f._ part, portion, game; avoir — gagnee, to win. partir, _v._ to depart, leave, burst out, set out, go off, give vent; begin; a — de, from; partant, m. departing one. partout, _adv._ everywhere; de –, from everywhere, on all sides.
parure, _f._ ornament, set of jewels, attire. parvenir, _v._ to reach, attain, succeed, arrive; parvenu, -e, _m., f._ parvenu, parvenue, upstart.
pas, _m._ step, pace; de ce –, at once, directly; sur mes –, at my heels.
pas, _adv._ not, no; ne … –, not, no. passablement, _adv._ passably, tolerably. passage, _m._ passage, passing, trip across, going by, path. passager, _m._ passenger.
passe, _f._ pass, passage, channel. passe, _interj._ let it pass, all right. passementer, _v._ to lace, adorn.
passer, _v._ to pass, pass over, take across, put, go by, pass through one’s mind, put on; se –, pass, happen, take place; elle s’est fait — ici, she got herself taken to this place; un frisson me passa dans le dos, a shiver ran along my back; passant, -e, _adj. and s._ passing, passer-by; passe, -e, _adj. and m._ past. passerelle, _f._ foot-bridge.
passion, _f._ passion, love.
passionner, _v._ to impassion; passionne, -e, _adj._ passionate. pasteque, _f._ watermelon.
pasteur, _m._ pastor.
patee, _f._ paste, mess (for dogs, etc.), porridge. paterne, _adj._ grandmotherly, over-kindly. paternel, -le, _adj._ paternal, father’s. paternellement, _adv._ paternally.
paternite, _f._ paternity.
pateux, -euse, _adj._ pasty, sticky, clammy. patience, _f._ patience (in this and in the next word _ti_ is pronounced as _ci_).
patient, -e, _adj._ patient, long-suffering, constant. patir, _v._ to suffer.
patrie, _f._ native land.
patriote, _adj. and s._ patriotic, patriot. patron, _m._ patron, master, employer.
patte, _f._ paw, foot, claw; a quatre pattes, on all fours. paturage, m. pasturage, pasture; couleur de –, grass-green. Paul 1er, Paul I (Russian Emperor; reigned: 1796-1801). Pauline, Paulina.
Paumelle, proper name; _cf._ paumelle, long-eared barley, hand-leather (for protecting the hand in sewing). paupiere, _f._ eyelid.
pause, _f._ pause.
pauvre, _adj. and s._ poor, pitiful, late, poor person, beggar; pauvres nous, alas for us.
pauvresse, _f._ poor woman, beggar. pauvrete, _f._ poverty.
pave, _m._ pavement.
paver, _v._ to pave.
pavillon, _m._ pavilion, flag, canopy. payement, _m._ payment.
payer, _v._ to pay, pay for.
pays, _m._ country (pronounced: _Peyi_; the same pronunciation occurs in the next two words).
paysage, _m._ landscape, scenery.
paysan, -ne, _m., f. and adj._ peasant. peau, _f._ skin.
pecaire, _interj._ what a pity; (compassionate interjection used in Provence).
peche, _f._ peach.
peche, _f._ fishing, catch, fishing trip; aller a la –, to go fishing.
peche, _m._ sin.
pecher, _v._ to fish, fish for.
pecheur, pecheresse, _m., f._ sinner. pecheur, -euse, _m., f. and adj._ fisherman, fisherwoman, fishing. peindre, _v._ to paint, picture.
peine, _f._ suffering, grief, pain, difficulty, trouble, labor, hard work, anxiety, torment; a –, scarcely; c’est a — si, scarcely.
peiner, _v._ to trouble, pain.
peinture, _f._ painting, paint.
pelisse, _f._ pelisse, fur coat.
pelle, _f._ shovel.
peloton, _m._ ball of worsted, platoon, group; — de travail, shift.
penchant, _m._ slope, propensity.
pencher, _v._ to bend, lean, bow; se –, bend, lean, lean over; penche, -e, bent, bowed, leaning.
pendant, _prep._ during, for (time); — que, _conj._ while. pendre, _v._ to hang.
pendule, _f._ clock, mantel-clock.
penetration, _f._ penetration.
penetrer, _v._ to penetrate, fathom, pervade, enter, go in, invade. penible, _adj._ difficult, laborious, painful, distressing. penitence, _f._ penitence; penance.
pensee, _f._ thought, thinking.
penser, _v._ to think, think out; pensez, think, you may imagine. penseur, _m._ thinker.
pensif, -ive, _adj._ thoughtful.
pension, _f._ pension, board, boarding-house, boarding-school. pensionnaire, _m., f._ boarder, boarding-school boy or girl. pente, _f._ slope.
perce, _f._ borer, drill; mettre en –, to tap. percepteur, _m._ tax-collector.
percer, _v._ to pierce, penetrate, be manifest. perche, _f._ pole.
percher, _v._ to perch.
perclus, -e, _adj._ crippled, paralyzed. perdre, _v._ to lose, ruin, undo; se –, lose oneself, get lost, be lost.
perdrix, _f._ partridge (_x_ not pronounced). pere, _m._ father, old man or “Uldquo;Uncle” (title). perfection, _f._ perfection.
perfide, _adj._ perfidious.
perfidie, _f._ perfidy, treachery.
peri, _f._ peri (Oriental fairy).
peril, _m._ peril (l pronounced).
perilleux, -euse, _adj._ perilous, dangerous. perir, _v._ to perish, be lost, die.
perle, _f._ pearl, bead.
perle, -e, _adj._ pearly, beaded, clear and silvery (voice). permettre, _v._ to permit, allow.
Perotte, dialectic for Pierrette.
perron, _m._ perron, elevated stone landing, stoop. perruque, _f._ wig.
perruquier, _m._ wig-maker, hair-dresser, barber. Perse, _f._ Persia; tapis de –, Persian rug. persecuteur, _m._ persecutor.
persistance, _f._ persistence.
personnage, _m._ personage, person, person of importance. personne, _f._ person; _m._ anyone, no one; ne … –, no one. perspective, _f._ perspective.
persuader, _v._ to persuade; en –, convince of it. perte, _f._ loss, ruin; a — de vue, as far as the eye can reach. peser, _v._ to weigh, lest, bang (over); pesant, -e, _adj._ heavy.
petale, _m._ petal.
petiller, _v._ to crackle, sparkle. petiot, -e, _adj._ tiny.
petit, -e, _adj. and s._ small, little, short, light, small person, little one; — a –, little by little.
petit-maitre, _m._ dandy.
petit-neveu, _m._ grand-nephew.
petrifier, _v._ to petrify.
petrole, _m._ petroleum.
peu, _adv. and m._ little, not very, a little, few; — a –, little by little; un –, a little, somewhat; tant soit –, somewhat; — de chose, not much, little, of small importance, trifling.
peuple, _m._ people, common people, crowd; adjectively: common. peupler, _v._ to people, populate.
peur, _f._ fear; faire — (a), to frighten. peureux, -euse, _adj._ timorous, timid.
peut-etre, _adv._ perhaps; — que, perhaps. phalange, _f._ phalanx.
Phalsbourg, Pfalzburg (former French town in Lorraine, ceded to Germany in 1871).
pharaon, _m._ faro (card-game, in which the players bet on the order in which the dealer or banker will deal the cards); faire une banque de –, to be the banker in a game of faro. pharmacien, _m._ apothecary, druggist.
phenomene, _m._ phenomenon.
philosophe, _m._ philosopher.
philosophique, _adj._ philosophical. phosphorescent, -e, _adj._ phosphorescent. phrase, _f._ phrase.
physionomie, _f._ physiognomy, face. piailler, _v._ to bawl, squeal, screech. Pie Vll, Pius VII, Pope: 1800-1823; Pie VIII, Pope: 1829-1830; Pie IX, Pope: 1846-1878; Pie X, Pope: 1903-1914. piece, _f._ piece, room, play.
pied, _m._ foot; arme au –, weapon resting on the ground. Pierre, Peter; saint –, Saint Peter.
pierre, _f._ stone.
Pierrette, feminine diminutive of Pierre. Pierron, survival of the Old French oblique case of Pierre. pieu, _m._ stake, “bldquo;bunk” (slang in last sense). pieux, -euse, _adj._ pious.
pilastre, _m._ pilaster.
pile, _f._ pile, heap, reverse (of a coin); jouer a croix ou –, to toss (a coin) for.
pilier, _m._ pillar, maintainer; steady customer, habitue. piller, _v._ to plunder.
pilori, _m._ pillory.
Pimenti, proper name (_cf._ Italian _pimento_, cayenne pepper). pince, _f._ pinch, pincers, claw.
pinceau, _m._ brush (painter’s).
Pinchon (Robert), intimate friend of de Maupassant; many of the anecdotes relating to de Maupassant are due to his published souvenirs; he was also a librarian in Rouen.
pioche, _f._ pickax, mattock.
pipe, _f._ pipe.
piquer, _v._ to prick, stick, bite, peck; piquant, -e, prickly, sharp, biting, stinging, keen.
pire, _adj._ worse; le –; worst.
Piriac, village and port in the department of Loire-Inferieure. pis, _adv._ worse; le –, worst; tant –, so much the worse.
pissenlit, _m._ dandelion.
pistil, _m._ pistil (_l_ pronounced). pistolet, _m._ pistol.
piteux, -euse, _adj._ pitiful, woeful. pitie, _f._ pity.
pitoyable, _adj._ pitiful.
pivert, _m._ green woodpecker.
pivoine, _f._ peony.
place, _f._ place, square, position, stronghold, room; sur –, on the spot; — forte, stronghold; faire — a, to make way for; — d’Armes, parade-ground.
placer, _v._ to place.
placide, _adj._ placid.
plafond, _m._ ceiling.
plage, _f._ shore, beach.
plaie, _f._ wound, gare.
plaindre, _v._ to pity; se — de; complain of, lament. plaine, _f._ plain.
plainte, _f._ complaint, wail.
plaire, _v._ to please; plut a Dieu, would to God; se –, be pleased; s’il vous plait, if you please; plaisant, -e, _adj. and s._ pleasing, pleasant, joker; mauvais plaisant, sorry or practical joker, joker.
plaisanter, _v._ to joke, jest.
plaisanterie, _f._ joke.
plaisir, _m._ pleasure.
plan, _m._ plan, plane.
planche, _f._ plank, board, skinny woman (slang in last sense). plancher, _m._ floor.
planer, _v._ to goal.
plante, _f._ plant.
planter, _v._ to plant, place, fix; — la, plant there, give the slip to, leave in the lurch.
plaque, _f._ tablet, metal badge.
plat, _m._ dish.
plat, -e, _adj._ flat.
platane, _m._ plane-tree.
plateau, _m._ platter.
plate-bande, _f._ border (of a flower-bed, etc.). plate-forme, _f._ platform.
platras, _m._ old plaster, rubbish. platre, _m._ plaster.
plebeien, -ne, _adj. and s._ plebeian. plein, -e, _adj._ full, open (air, field, door, etc.); en –, in the middle or midst of, completely, all; en pleine figure, right in the face; en — decembre, in the middle of December; a pleins cheveux, right by the hair; a pleine bouche, with mouth wide open, lapping up without using the hands. pleinement, _adv._ fully.
pleurer, _v._ to weep, weep for; — a chaudes larmes, to shed hot tears.
pli, _m._ fold, bend, plait, depression, hollow, elevation. pliable, _adj._ pliable, flexible.
pliant, _m._ folding-chair, camp-stool. plier, _v._ to fold, bend.
plisser, _v._ to plait, crease, wrinkle. plomb, _m._ lead (_b_ not pronounced).
plombe, -e, _adj._ leaden, livid.
plongeon, _m._ plunge, dive, dipping, dip. plonger, _v._ to plunge, dive, throw or stick in. pluie, _f._ rain.
plume, _f._ feather, pen; — a l’oreille, pen over the ear. plus, _adv._ more, in addition, some more, plus, no more; le –, most; — … –, the more…the more; ne … –, no longer, never more; non –, either; de –, in addition, more; de — en –, more and more; de — ou de moins, more or less (when = “sldquo;some more” or “pldquo;plus” or when emphatic, _s_ is pronounced). plusieurs, _adj., pl._ several.
plutot, _adv._ rather, sooner.
poche, _f._ pocket.
poele, _m._ stove; _f._ frying-pan (_oe_ in this and in the next word is pronounced as _oi_ in poil).
poelee, _f._ panful.
poeme, _m._ poem.
poesie, _f._ poetry, poesy, poem.
poete, _m._ poet; adjectively: poetic. poetiquement, _adv._ poetically.
poids, _m._ weight.
poignee, _f._ handful, hilt.
poignet, _m._ wrist.
poil, _m._ hair (usually of the body or of an animal). poilu, -e, _adj._ hairy.
poindre, _v._ to sting, dawn, rise, appear. poing, _m._ fist.
point, _m._ point place; en tout –, in every respect; troubler au dernier –, to disturb in the highest degree. point, _adv._ not at all; ne … –, not at all. pointe, _f._ point, tip; sur la — du pied, on tiptoe; casque a –, pointed helmet.
pointer, _v._ to point, aim.
pointu, -e, _adj._ pointed.
poirier, _m._ pear-tree.
poisson, _m._ fish.
Poissy, town on the Seine near Versailles, contains a prison (see context). poitrine, _f._ breast, chest.
poivre, _m._ pepper.
poix, _f._ pitch; Doigt-de-Poix, Light-fingered. poli, -e, _adj._ polite, polished.
police, _f._ police.
poliment, _adv._ politely.
polisson, -ne, _adj. and s._ mischievous, naughty, broad (of a joke), scamp.
politique, _adj. and s._ political; _m._ politician; _f._ politics. polonais, -e, _adj. and s._ Polish, Pole (written Polonais when _s._).
Polyte, abbreviation of Hippolyte.
pomeranien, -ne, _adj._ Pomeranian (of the Prussian province of Pomerania). pomme, _f._ apple; — de terre, potato.
pommeau, _m._ pummel.
pommier, _m._ apple-tree.
pompe, _f._ pomp, splendor.
pompe, _f._ pump.
pomper, _v._ to pump.
pompon, _m._ topknot, tuft.
poney, _m._ pony.
pont, _m._ bridge, deck.
ponte, _m._ punter (any player but the banker at faro). ponter, _v._ to punt (bet against the banker at faro, roulette, etc.). ponton, _m._ pontoon; — d’embarquement, floating dock. populaire, _adj._ popular.
population, _f._ population.
porc, _m._ pig, pork (_c_ is now usually pronounced in this word). porcelaine, _f._ porcelain.
poreux, -euse, _adj._ porous.
port, _m._ port, wharf.
portail, _m._ portal, large door, front of a church. porte, _f._ door, gate, doorway, door-sill; assis (debout) sur la –, seated (standing) on the door-step.
porte-amarre, _m._ apparatus for throwing a cable; fusil –, rocket-gun, life-rocket.
porte-cigarres, _m._ cigar-case.
portee, _f._ reach, range, shot.
portefeuille, _m._ portfolio, pocket-book. porter, _v._ to carry, bear, wear, support, contain (information); se –, be (of the health); qui ne s’en portera pas plus mal, which will not be any the worse for it; l’un portant l’autre, on an average.
porteur, _m._ bearer, porter.
portiere, _f._ door-curtain, carriage-door. portion, _f._ portion, piece.
portrait, _m._ portrait.
pose, _f._ pose.
poser, _v._ to place, put, set down, ask (a question); se –, be placed, place oneself, alight; pose sur, sitting on (of a bird). position, _f._ position.
posseder, _v._ to possess, own, have. possesseur, _m._ possessor, owner.
possession, _f._ possession.
possible, _adj._ possible; au –, most possible. poste, _f._ post, post-office, mail, mail-coach; chaise de –, post-chaise; _m._ military post, post, position. poster, _v._ to post; se –, to be posted or established. postillon, _m._ postilion.
posture, _f._ posture.
pot, _m._ pot.
potage, _m._ thick soup.
potence, _f._ gallows, gibbet.
pouce, _m._ thumb, inch.
Pouchkine, Pushkin (Alexander), Russian lyric poet, dramatist and novelist, born in Moscow (1799-1837).
poudre, _f._ powder, dust; en –, powdered. poudrer, _v._ to powder, sprinkle (powder, dust, money, etc.) on. poudreux, -euse, _adj._ dusty.
poudroyer, _v._ to be dusty.
pouiller, _v._ to get the lice out of, clean, get into. poulailler, _m._ chicken-house.
poule, _f._ hen, fowl, chicken; chair de –, goose-flesh. poulet, _m._ chicken.
poulie, _f._ pulley.
poupee, _f._ doll.
pour, _prep._ for, to, in order to, in regard to; — que, _conj._ that, in order that, for; substantively: le — et le contre, the pros and cons; — deux sous, two cents’ worth. pourboire, _m._ tip.
pourpre, _adj. and m._ purple (varying from violet to crimson). pourquoi, _conj. and adv._ why, why?
pourrir, _v._ to rot.
pourriture, _f._ rot, decay, putrefaction. poursuite, _f._ pursuit.
poursuivre, _v._ to pursue, follow up, continue, keep. pourtant, _adv. and conj._ however, nevertheless. pourvu que, _conj._ provided that.
pousser, _v._ to push, thrust, send forth, exhale, push to or in or open, utter, urge on, heave, shoot (a bolt), give. poussiere, _f._ dust.
poussif, -ive, _adj._ short-winded, puffing. poussin, _m._ young chicken.
pouvoir, _v._ to be able, can, may, be able to do; se –, be possible; n’en — plus, be tired out, be utterly exhausted; _m._ power.
pratique, _adj. and f._ practice, practical. pratiquer, _v._ to practice, frequent, put up, make. precaution, _f._ precaution.
precedent, -e, _adj._ preceding.
preceder, _v._ to precede.
precieux, -euse, _adj._ precious.
precipitamment, _adv._ precipitately, hurriedly. precipitation, _f._ precipitation, hurry. precipiter, _v._ to precipitate, throw; se –, rush forth, rush forward, rush, throw oneself; precipite, -e, precipitate, hurried, hasty.
precis, -e, _adj. and m._ precise, summary. precisement, _adv._ precisely, exactly.
prediction, _f._ prediction.
prefecture, _f._ prefecture (office of the prefect of a department or of the Prefect of Police in Paris).
preference, _f._ preference.
preferer, _v._ to prefer.
prefet, _m._ prefect (head of a French department or of the police in Paris).
prejuge, _m._ prejudice, precedent. prelever, _v._ to levy, take first.
premier, -ere, _adj._ first, greatest; porte du –, second story door; gravir le –, to be the first to climb (abbreviated: 1er). prendre, _v._ to take, take on, catch, seize, get, acquire, regard, make (resolutions, arrangements), assume (an air); se — a, begin; s’y –, go about it; — le galop, take to a gallop; — a travers, cut across (country); a tout –, everything considered; — a la cruche, to attack or take a drink from the jug. prenom, _m._ first or Christian name.
preoccupation, _f._ preoccupation.
preoccuper, _v._ to preoccupy.
preparatoire, _adj._ preparatory.
preparer, _v._ to prepare, plan.
pres, _prep._ (with de) _and adv._ near, about to; de — closely, near at hand; de si –, so closely; a peu –, almost, nearly.
presage, _m._ omen.
presager, _v._ to presage, foretoken, forebode. presence, _f._ presence.
present, -e, _adj. and s._ present, person present; _m._ present, gift; a –, at present, now.
presenter, _v._ to present.
preservatif, _m._ preservative, protection. president, _m._ president, presiding judge. presider, _v._ to preside, preside over. presque, _adv._ almost.
presqu’ile, _f._ peninsula.
pressentiment, _m._ presentiment.
pressentir, _v._ to have a presentiment, foresee. presser, _v._ to press, hurry, urge; se –, be in a hurry, crowd, press, press close; aller d’un pas presse, hurry along; pressant, -e, pressing, urgent; presse, -e, pressed, in a hurry, hurried, quick, hasty.
pression, _f._ pressure.
presumer, _v._ to presume, conjecture. pret, -e, _adj._ ready.
pretendre, _v._ to pretend, claim, lay claim, mean, aspire, maintain, require, insist on.
pretentieux, -euse, _adj._ pretentious, pompous (_ti_ pronounced as _ci_).
pretention, _f._ pretension, claim. preter, _v._ to lend, attribute; — serment a, swear allegiance to.
pretexte, _m._ pretext, pretense.
pretoire, _m._ court-room.
pretre, _m._ priest.
preuve, _f._ proof.