Heath's Modern Language Series: La Mère de la Marquise

by Edmond About

Mais comprenez-vous cet engouement qu'ils ont pour Paris? C'est une ville abominable; je n'y ai trouvé que déboires, et je n'y remettrai jamais les pieds que pour conduire mes petits-enfants dans le monde!»

Dix années viennent de s'écouler.

Gaston, fidèle aux deux passions de sa jeunesse, consacre la meilleure partie de son temps à Lucile, et le reste à la science. Son usine prospère aussi bien que son ménage. Il a poussé vigoureusement les progrès de l'industrie métallurgique; il a précipité la baisse des fers: grâce à lui, la tonne des rails est tombée de 360 francs à 285, et il ne désespère pas de l'amener à 200, comme il le promettait jadis à son ami l'ingénieur des salines. C'est d'ailleurs, un beau forgeron que le marquis d'Outreville, et vous ne lui donneriez pas plus de trente ans: les années ont si peu de prise[180] sur l'homme heureux!

Mais Mme Benoît est une petite vieille femme fondue, amaigrie, ridée, maussade, insupportable aux autres et à elle-même. C'est qu'elle a attendu vainement la petite tête blonde sur laquelle elle fondait ses dernières espérances. Les sept enfants du marquis sont sept garnements joufflus qui se roulent du matin au soir dans la poussière, qui trouent leurs vestes aux coudes et leurs pantalons aux genoux, qui ont des engelures l'hiver, et les mains rouges en toute saison, et qui iront tout seuls au faubourg Saint-Germain, s'ils ont jamais la curiosité de voir le paradis de leur grand'mère.

Gabrielle-Auguste-Éliane mourra comme Moïse sur le mont Nébo, sans avoir mis le pied sur la terre promise.

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VOCABULARY

There have been included in the vocabulary (1) all words in the text except those spelled alike or nearly so, in French and English; and except adjectives which correspond in form to the participles of verbs whose infinitive is given; (2) the proper names which occur in the text, with sufficient data to explain their use where found; (3) such idiomatic expressions as are likely to offer difficulty to the beginner, these often being listed under more than one head; (4) the plural of nouns and adjectives when irregularly formed; (5) a few of the more difficult forms of irregular verbs; (6) occasional notes on the pronunciation of exceptional words.

• A
• à, at, to, by means of, in, about.
• abaisser, to lower.
• abandonner, to give up;
  • s'——, to yield.
• abattre, irr., to beat down, discourage.
• abominablement, horribly.
• abord, m., approach;
  • d'——, adv., first of all, in the first place.
• abréger, to abridge, shorten.
• absinthe, f., absinth, wormwood bitters.
• absolument, absolutely.
• absorber, to absorb.
• abstenir (s'), irr., to abstain.
• accabler, to overwhelm.
• accepter, to receive, take, accept.
• accommoder, to adapt, arrange, accommodate;
  • s'——, to adapt oneself, be suited.
• accompagnement, m., accompaniment.
• accompagner, to accompany.
• accomplir, to accomplish, to fulfil; p.p., accomplished (used of persons).
• accorder, to accord, grant.
• accoster, to accost.
• accourir, irr., to run up.
• accouder, to lean on the elbow.
• accoutumer, to accustom, habituate.
• accueil, m., greeting, welcome.
• accueillir, irr., to welcome, receive.
• accumuler, to accumulate, acquire.
• accuser, to accuse; manifest.
• acharner, to madden;
  • s'——, to be eager for, persist.
• acheminer (s'), to walk on, take one's way.
• acheter, to buy.
• acheteur, m., purchaser.
• achever, to complete, finish.
• acier, m., steel.
• acoquiner, to attach by habit;
  • s'——, to become attached.
• acquérir, irr., to acquire.
• acquitter, to acquit.
• acte, m., act;
  • —— de naissance, certificate of birth;
  • —— de notoriété publique, certificate of hearsay evidence.
• additionner, to add.
• adieu, -x, m., farewell, good-bye.
• adjoint, -e, assistant.
• admettre, irr., to admit.
• administrateur, m., director, manager.
• admirer, to admire.
• adorer, to adore, worship.
• adoucir, to soften.
• adresse, f., address, speech, message.
• adversaire, m., adversary.
• affaire, f., affair, thing; pl., business;
  • avoir —— à, to have to do with.
• affamé, -e, famished.
• afficher, to manifest, publish.
• affreu-x, -se, horrid, frightful.
• affronter, to face, withstand.
• Agar, f., Hagar, driven forth with her son Ishmael, by Abraham.
• âge, m., age;
  • en ——, old enough;
  • prendre de l'——, to begin to grow old, show signs of age.
• agent, m., agent;
  • —— de change, stockbroker.
• âger, to age; p.p., âgée de seize ans, sixteen years old.
• agir, to act;
  • s'—— de, to be a question of.
• agréable, agreeable, pleasing, delightful.
• agréer, to receive.
• ah çça, excl., come now.
• aider, to help.
• aïeu-l, -x, m., grandfather, ancestor.
• aïeule, f., grandmother, ancestor.
• aigre, sharp, bitter, harsh.
• aigu, -ë, sharp.
• aile, f., wing, side.
• ailleurs, elsewhere;
  • d'——, besides; moreover.
• aimable, pleasing, attractive, charming.
• aimer, to like, love;
  • —— mieux, to prefer.
• aîné, -e, eldest.
• ainsi, thus;
  • —— que, just as.
• air, m., air;
  • en plein ——, in the open air.
• airain, m., brass, bronze.
• aise, f., ease, convenience;
  • être bien —— de, to be very glad of.
• ajouter, to add.
• album, m., album (um pron. om).
• alentour, roundabout.
• aligner, to align, arrange.
• allemand, -e, German.
• allée, f., glade, walk.
• aller, irr., to go;
  • allons, allez, excl., come now;
  • va pour, all right for.
• allié, m., ally, companion.
• allier, to ally.
• allonger, to extend, elongate.
• allumer, and s'——, to light.
• allumette, f., match.
• allusion, f., allusion.
• alors, then, at that time.
• altéré, -e, thirsty, greedy.
• amabilité, f., amiableness, loveliness.
• amaigrir, to grow thin.
• amant, m., lover.
• ambitieu-x, -se, ambitious.
• âme, f., soul, spirit.
• amener, to lead, bring.
• am-er, -ère, bitter.
• Amérique, f., America.
• ami, m., friend.
• amie, f., friend (of a woman), mistress (of a man).
• amitié, f., friendship.
• amorce, f., decoy, allurement.
• amour, m. (pl. also f.), love.
• amoureu-x, -se, loving; m. pl., lovers.
• amour-propre, m., self-esteem.
• amuser, to amuse;
  • s'——, to enjoy one's self, have a good time.
• an, m., year;
  • avoir vingt-cinq ——s sonnés; to be full twenty-five years old;
  • à vingt ——s, at the age of twenty;
  • de six ——s, six years of age.
• ancêtre, m., ancestor.
• ancien, irr., old, former, ex-;
  • —— élève, graduate.
• ancre, f., anchor;
  • —— de salut, safety-anchor.
• anéantir, to overcome, annihilate.
• ange, m., angel.
• anglais, -e, English.
• Anglaise, f., English woman.
• anim-al, -aux, m., animal; excl., stupid idiot!
• animer, to animate.
• année, f., year, year's duration.
• annonce, f., notice, advertisement.
• annoncer, to announce.
• Antioche, Antioch, in Syria, founded 300 B.C. The city was taken by the Crusaders in 1098 and made a Christian principality, which endured until 1268.
• apercevoir, and s'——, irr., to perceive, observe.
• Apollon, Apollo;
  • —— du Belvédère, Apollo Belvedere, the famous statue in the Vatican.
• apparence, f., appearance.
• apparenté, -e, connected, related.
• appartement, m., apartment, flat.
• appartenir, irr., to appertain, belong to.
• appel, m., appeal.
• appeler, to call;
  • —— en justice, to sue.
• applaudir, to applaud.
• appoint, m., addition, advantage.
• apporter, to bring.
• apprécier, to appreciate.
• apprêt, m., preparation.
• apprendre, irr., to teach, train, inform;
  • bien appris, well-trained, well-mannered.
• apprentissage, m., apprenticeship.
• approche, f., approach.
• approcher, to approach, bring near.
• approfondi, -e, very deep, profound.
• approuver, to approve.
• après, after.
• arbre, m., tree.
• arbuste, m., shrub, bush.
• archevêque, m., archbishop.
• archiviste, m., archivist.
• ardemment, ardently.
• argent, m., money, silver.
• aristocratie, f., aristocracy.
• aristocratique, aristocratic, elegant.
• aristoloche, f., birthwort.
• arme, f., weapon; pl., arms.
• armée, f., army.
• armorié, -e, bearing a coat-of-arms.
• arpent, m., arpent (about one acre).
• arquer, to arch.
• arracher, to tear up, tear away.
• arrêter, and s'——, to stop.
• arrière, backwards, behind.
• arrière-ban, m., arriere-ban, roll; see ban.
• arrivée, f., arrival.
• arriver, to arrive, attain, reach, come, succeed.
• arrondir, to round out.
• arrondissement, m., ward.
• Artémise, f., Artemisia, queen of Caria 352-350 B.C.; builder of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the wonders of the world.
• aspect, m., appearance (ct silent, c pron. in linking).
• assaisonner, to season, spice.
• assassiner, to assassinate, overcome.
• asseoir, irr., to seat;
  • s'——, to sit.
• asseyant, pres. part of asseoir.
• assez, enough, sufficiently, rather.
• assis, -e, p.p. of asseoir.
• assises, f., assizes;
  • cour d'——, criminal court.
• assister, to be present at, aid.
• assourdir, to deafen.
• assurance, f., strength, certainty.
• assurer, to assure, insure;
  • —— l'avenir, to make provision for the future.
• atelier, m., shop, studio.
• atour, m., attire, finery;
  • en grands ——s, in full dress.
• attabler, to seat at table;
  • s'——, to sit down at the table.
• attache, f., joint; articulation.
• atteler, to hitch up.
• attendre, to wait; wait for;
  • s'——, to expect.
• attente, f., waiting, expectation.
• attenti-f, -ve, attentive.
• attester, to attest, witness.
• attirer, to attract.
• attraper, to catch;
  • attrape, excl., take that, there's one for you.
• aubépine, f., hawthorn.
• aucun, -e, no, no one.
• audace, f., boldness.
• au-dessus, adv., thereon, above;
  • —— de, prep., above.
• au-dessous, adv., beneath, below;
  • —— de, prep., below.
• auditoire, m., hearers.
• auparavant, before.
• auprès de, near, beside.
• aussi, also, too, wherefore, therefore;
  • —— ... que, as ... as;
  • —— bien que, as well as.
• aussitôt, at once, immediately;
  • —— que, as soon as.
• autant, as much.
• autel, m., altar.
• automne, m. or f., autumn, fall.
• autoriser, to authorize, permit.
• autour de, round about.
• autre, other;
  • nous ——s, vous ——s, we, us, you.
• autrefois, formerly.
• autrui, others, other people.
• avance, f., advance;
  • d'——, in advance, beforehand.
• avancer, and s'——, to advance.
• avant, prep., before, in less than; adv., on, in front;
  • en ——, forward;
  • plus ——, farther on;
  • si ——, so far, so deeply.
• avant-hier, day before yesterday.
• avant-veille, f., second day before.
• avec, with, in the case of.
• avenir, m., future;
  • assurer l'——, to provide for the future.
• aventure, f., adventure.
• avéré, -e, assured, recognized as true.
• avertir, to warn, give notice, inform.
• aveuglement, m., blindness.
• aveuglette, f., in
  • à l'——, blindly.
• avis, m., advice, opinion.
• aviser, to advise;
  • s'—— de, to take it into one's head, to think of.
• avocat, m., lawyer.
• avoir, irr., to have, (in expressions of size, age, etc.) to be;
  • —— beau, be in vain;
  • n'—— garde de, be careful not to;
  • —— honte, to be ashamed;
  • —— lieu, to take place;
  • —— lieu de, to have occasion to;
  • —— raison, to be right;
  • —— sommeil, to be sleepy;
  • —— vent de, to get wind of;
  • il y a, there is; ago.
• avoué, m., attorney.
• avouer, to avow.
• avril, m., April.
• B
• bac, m., ferry-boat.
• Bac, rue du, a once fashionable street of the faubourg Saint-Germain, running at right angles to the Seine opposite the palace of the Tuileries. The street takes its name from the ferry-boat which crossed the river at this point before the present bridge was built.
• bague, f., ring.
• baigner, to bathe.
• baisemain, m., hand-kissing.
• baiser, to kiss.
• baisse, f., decline.
• baisser, to lower, decline, fail in health.
• bal, m., ball.
• ballon, m., football.
• bambin, m., child.
• ban, m., roll;
  • —— et arrière-ban de la noblesse, the nobles of every degree.
• banqueroute, f., bankruptcy;
  • faire ——, to become bankrupt.
• barbe, f., beard;
  • faire la ——, to shave;
  • à sa ——, in his face, in spite of him.
• barège, m., barège (a woolen cloth).
• baronne, f., baroness.
• baronnie, f., baronage.
• barrière, f., barrier.
• bas, m., bottom;
  • en ——, below.
• bas, -se, low.
• basse-cour, f., poultry-yard.
• bataille, f., battle.
• bâtir, to build.
• batiste, f., cambric.
• battre, irr., to beat, use up.
• beau, bel, pl. beaux, m., belle, -s, f., beautiful, handsome, fine;
  • avoir beau, to be in vain;
  • bel et bon, good and true.
• beaucoup, much, many.
• beau-père, pl. ——x-——s, m., father-in-law, stepfather.
• beauté, f., beauty.
• bec, m., beak;
  • coup de ——, peck.
• bélître, m., beggar, good-for-nothing.
• Belle au bois dormant, Sleeping Beauty.
• belle-mère, pl. ——s-——s, f., mother-in-law, stepmother.
• bénir, to bless.
• Béranger, Pierre-Jean de, 1780-1857. The famous French poet, noted for his Chansons.
• berceau, m., cradle, bower.
• bergeronnette, f., wagtail.
• berline, f., berlin (a large, four-wheeled carriage with a suspended body and a movable top).
• berner, to ridicule, flatter, "jolly."
• besogne, f., work.
• besogneu-x, -se, in straits, necessitous.
• besoin, m., need;
  • au ——, if necessary.
• bêtise, f., stupidity.
• Bias, one of the seven sages of Greece, flourished in the sixth century B.C. He despised wealth and bore all his possessions on his back.
• bibliothèque, f., library, bookcase.
• Bibliothèque royale, f., now the Bibliothèque nationale, in the Palais Mazarin, rue Richelieu. It is said to be the largest library in the world, containing over 2,500,000 volumes, and 90,000 manuscripts.
• bien, adv., well, indeed, very; subst. m., property, possessions.
• bienheureu-x, -se, blessed, happy.
• bientôt, very soon;
  • à ——, good-bye for a short time.
• bienveillance, f., kindliness, benevolence.
• bignonia, m., bignonia.
• bijou, -x, m., jewel.
• billet, m., note.
• bisaïeu-l, -x, m., great-grandfather.
• blâmer, to blame.
• blan-c, -che, white, blank;
  • de but en ——, point-blank.
• blanchir, to grow white, whiten.
• blasonner, to emblazon.
• blessure, f., wound.
• bleu, -e, blue.
• blouse, f., blouse.
• boire, irr., to drink.
• bois, m., wood, woods;
  • —— de rose, rosewood.
• Bois, m., the Bois de Boulogne is the chief park of Paris, of which it forms the western boundary. Its area is 2,158 acres.
• boîte, f., box, chest.
• bombé, -e, rounded, high.
• bon, -ne, good;
  • à quoi ——, for what use, why;
  • bel et ——, good and true.
• bondir, to bound.
• bonheur, m., good luck, happiness;
  • quel ——! what good luck! how fortunate!
• bonhomme, m., goodman.
• bonjour, m., good day.
• bonsoir, m., good evening, good night.
• bonté, f., goodness, bounty, mercy;
  • —— divine, excl., merciful heavens.
• bord, m., border, edge;
  • à ——, on board.
• bosquet, m., thicket, clump.
• botter, to boot.
• bottine, f., boot, high shoe.
• bouche, f., mouth.
• boucle, f., buckle; curl.
• bouder, to sulk.
• bouillir, irr., to boil.
• bouillonner, to well up, bubble.
• bouleversement, m., upheaval, overthrow.
• bourdonner, to buzz, hum.
• bourgeois, m., -e, f., burgher, citizen; adj., middle-class.
• bourgeoisie, f., middle-class society.
• bourrer, to stuff.
• bourse, f., purse;
  • sans —— délier, without spending a cent.
• bout, m., end;
  • manger du —— des doigts, scarcely to touch a mouthful.
• bout, 3rd sing. pres. indic. of bouillir.
• bouteille, f., bottle.
• boutique, f., shop.
• boutiquier, m., shopkeeper.
• brancard, m., stretcher.
• branche, f., branch.
• braquer, to fix (the eyes).
• bras, m., arm;
  • —— dessus —— dessous, arm in arm.
• brassée, f., armful.
• brave, good.
• braver, to brave.
• brèche, f., breach.
• Bretagne, f., Brittany, one of the old provinces of France, united to the crown in 1532. It comprises the modern departments of Finistère, Côtes-du-Nord, Morbihan, Ille-et-Vilaine, and Loire-Inférieure.
• brigadier, m., corporal.
• briguer, to scheme for.
• briller, to shine.
• brin, m., blade of grass;
  • un ——, a bit.
• brique, f., brick.
• briser, and se ——, to break, break off; use up.
• broderie, f., embroidery.
• brouiller, to embroil.
• bruit, m., noise, uproar.
• brûler, to burn; fig., to cut, rush past;
  • à brûle-pourpoint, point-blank.
• brun, -e, brown, brunette.
• brusquement, abruptly, suddenly.
• bruyant, -e, noisy.
• buisson, m., bush.
• buissonnière, see école.
• but, m., butt, goal;
  • de —— en blanc, point-blank.
• but, 3rd sing, past definite of boire.
• buvant, pres. part of boire.
• buveu-r, m., -se, f., drinker.
• C
• çà, there, come now.
• ça, contraction for cela, that, there.
• cabinet, m., small room, den;
  • —— de lecture, pay reading-room.
• câble, m., cable.
• cabriolet, m., cabriolet, gig (a two-wheeled buggy).
• cacatoès, m., cockatoo, (s pron.)
• cacher, to hide, conceal.
• cadeau, -x, m., present, gift.
• café, m., coffee.
• cahier, m., note-book, portfolio.
• cailler, to clot, thicken;
  • lait caillé, clotted milk.
• calcul, m., calculation.
• calculer, to compute.
• Calèche, f., calash (a sort of carriage with a buggy-top over the rear seat only).
• calendrier, m., calendar.
• Calypso. A nymph who detained Ulysses seven years and promised him eternal youth and immortality if he would stay on with her forever.
• camarade, m., comrade, classmate;
  • —— de promotion, one who receives a degree at the same time.
• camp, m., camp;
  • lit de ——, camp-bed, cot.
• campagnard, -e, country.
• campagne, f., country; campaign.
• cant, m., cant, an hypocritical assumption of virtue, prudishness.
• canton, m., township, district.
• capitaine, m., captain.
• car, for, because.
• caractère, m., character.
• caresser, to caress.
• carré, m., square.
• carrosse, m., coach (with suspended body).
• carrossier, m., carriage maker.
• carte, f., card;
  • —— blanche, free permission.
• carton, m., cardboard.
• cas, m., case.
• caserne, f., barracks.
• casier, m., pigeonhole, compartment.
• casquette, f., cap.
• casser, to break.
• caste, f., class, kind, caste.
• cathédrale, f., cathedral.
• cause, f., cause, reason;
  • à —— de, because of;
  • pour ——, with reason, rightly.
• causer, to talk, converse, talk about; cause.
• causeuse, f., sofa for two, with seats facing in opposite directions.
• cavalièrement, haughtily.
• cave, f., cellar, wine-cellar.
• ce, this, that, he, she, it, they;
  • —— qui, —— que, that which, what;
  • c'est que, the fact is.
• ce, cet, m., cette, f., ces, plur., this, that, these, those.
• ceci, this one, this.
• céder, to yield, give way.
• cela, that one, that.
• célèbre, famous, notorious.
• celui, pl. ceux, m., celle, -s, f., this one, that one.
• cendre, f., ashes.
• centime, m., hundredth of a franc.
• centième, hundredth.
• centimètre, m., centimeter, hundredth part of a meter (.39 inch).
• cep, m., vine-stock.
• cependant, nevertheless, however; meanwhile.
• cercle, m., circle, club.
• cérémonie, f., ceremony;
  • faire des ——s, stand on ceremony.
• cérémonieu-x, -se, ceremonious, formal.
• cerise, f., cherry.
• cerisier, m., cherry-tree.
• certifier, to certify.
• cerveau, m., brain.
• chacun, -e, each one.
• chagrin, m., vexation, sorrow.
• chaîne, f., chain, train.
• chaise, f., chair;
  • —— longue, lounge;
  • —— de poste, post-chaise.
• châle, m., shawl.
• chaleur, f., heat.
• chambre, f., bedchamber.
• champ, m., field.
• champêtre, of the fields.
• Champs-Élysées, m. pl., lit. "The Elysian Fields." A park-like avenue and promenade which extend for half a mile or more westward of the Place de la Concorde. It is a favorite playground for the aristocratic children of the neighborhood.
• change, see agent.
• changer, to change.
• chanson, f., song.
• chant, m., song, singing.
• chanter, to sing.
• chantier, m., truss;
  • sur le ——, unfinished.
• chapeau, -x, m., hat.
• chapitre, m., chapter.
• chaque, each, every.
• char à bancs, m., char-à-bancs (a long, light vehicle, open at the sides, with the seats running crosswise and facing forward), wagonette.
• charbonnier, m., coal-dealer; operator.
• charger, to charge, order, load.
• chariot, m., cart.
• Charlemagne, 742-814, king of the Francs and emperor of the Romans.
• charmant, -e, charming, dear, darling.
• charmer, to charm.
• charme, m., charm.
• charte, f., chart, document.
• Chartes, see École des Chartes.
• chartreu-x, -se, Carthusian.
• chasse, f., hunting.
• chasser, to hunt, drive out, dismiss.
• chasseresse, f., huntress.
• chasseur, m., hunter; light-cavalryman.
• chat, m., cat.
• Chat botté, Puss in Boots.
• châtain, -e, chestnut-brown.
• château, -x, m., castle, palace.
• chaud, -e, hot.
• chaussure, f., shoe, foot-covering.
• chef, m., head, chief, leader, boss (f pron.).
• chemin, m., road;
  • —— de fer, railroad.
• cheminée, f., mantelpiece, fireplace.
• chemisier, m., shirtmaker.
• chêne, m., oak.
• cher, -ère, dear.
• chercher, to seek, look for.
• chérie, f., dear.
• chev-al, -aux, m., horse;
  • —— de course, race-horse;
  • —— de poste, post-horse;
  • monter à ——, to ride.
• cheveux, m. pl., hair, locks;
  • en ——, bareheaded.
• chez, at the house of, in the case of, to, at;
  • —— moi, to or at my house, at home.
• chien, m., dog.
• chiffon, m., rag, bit, scrawl, nonsense.
• chiffre, m., monogram.
• Chine, f., China.
• choisir, to choose, select.
• choléra, m., cholera (ch pron. like k).
• chose, f., thing, fact, object.
• chou, -x, m., cabbage.
• choyer, to fondle.
• chrétien, -ne, Christian.
• chrysalide, f., chrysalis.
• chuchoter, to whisper, murmur.
• ci (hyphenated to preceding word for emphasis), this, here, on this side.
• ciel, m., sky, heaven; pl., les cieux, the skies, the heavens.
• ci-joint, -e, herewith, below.
• cinq, five.
• cinquante, fifty.
• cinquante-huit, fifty-eight.
• cinquantième, fiftieth.
• circonstance, f., circumstance, instance.
• citoyen, m., -ne, f., citizen.
• clair, -e, clear, light, bright.
• clef, f., key (f silent).
• clématite, f., clematis.
• clientèle, f., patronage, patrons.
• cloche, f., bell.
• clou, m., nail;
  • —— de fauteuil, upholstery tack.
• cobæa, f., cobæa, phlox.
• cocher, m., coachman.
• cochère, see porte.
• code, m., code, law.
• cœur, m., heart, center, soul, person;
  • de bon ——, willingly;
  • plein de ——, whole-souled.
• coffre, m., box, chest.
• coiffe, f., crown.
• coin, m., corner.
• colère, f., anger; adj., choleric.
• colorer, to color.
• colorier, to color.
• colossal, -e, immense, huge.
• combien, how much, how many.
• combiner, to combine, unite.
• comble, m., top, summit;
  • de fond en ——, from top to bottom, completely.
• combler, to overwhelm.
• combustible, m., inflammable material.
• comique, comical, funny.
• commander, to order.
• comme, adv., as, like, how, as it were; as if; conj., because, since;
  • —— quoi, as how (colloq.).
• commencer, to begin.
• comment, adv., how; excl., what!
• commettre, irr., to commit.
• commis, m., clerk.
• commodément, comfortably.
• commun, -e, common, ordinary, vulgar.
• commune, f., town.
• compagne, f., companion, playmate.
• compagnie, f., company.
• complaisant, -e, complacent, accommodating.
• complètement, completely.
• complice, m. or f., accomplice.
• compliquer, to complicate.
• complot, m., plot.
• comporter, to accord with;
  • se ——, to conduct oneself, act;
  • se —— trop bien, to have too good a time.
• composer, to compose;
  • se ——, to be composed of.
• comprendre, irr., to understand, comprehend.
• compromettre, irr., to compromise.
• comptabilité, f., bookkeeping.
• compte, m., account, purpose, reckoning;
  • le —— y est, the reckoning is correct, it is all right.
• compter, to count, expect.
• comte, m., count.
• concert, m., unison, concert.
• concevoir, irr., to conceive.
• conciliation, f., settlement.
• conçu, -e, p.p. of concevoir.
• concurrence, f., competition, match.
• condamner, to condemn.
• condoléance, f., condolence.
• conducteur, m., director.
• conduire, irr., lead, conduct, escort.
• conduite, f., conduct.
• confiance, f., confidence.
• confier, to confide.
• confiture, f., preserves.
• conforme à, in accordance with.
• conformément, in conformity.
• congé, m., leave.
• congédier, to dismiss.
• connaissance, f., acquaintance, knowledge.
• connaisseur, m., connoisseur, good judge.
• connaître, irr., to know, be acquainted with.
• conquête, f., conquest.
• consacrer, to devote.
• consciencieusement, conscientiously.
• conseil, m., council, counsel.
• conseiller, to give counsel.
• consentir, irr., to consent, agree.
• conséquent, m., conclusion;
  • par ——, in consequence.
• conservateur, m., librarian, curator.
• conserver, to preserve, keep.
• consoler, to reward, console.
• conspirer, to conspire.
• construire, irr., to construct, build.
• contagieu-x, -se, contagious.
• conte, m., story, tale;
  • —— de fée or fées, fairy tale.
• contempler, to regard, look at, contemplate.
• contemporain, -e, contemporary.
• contenir, irr., to contain.
• contenter, to content.
• conter, to tell, say.
• continuer, to continue.
• contraindre, irr., to force, constrain.
• contrainte, f., reserve.
• contraire, contrary;
  • au ——, on the contrary.
• contrarier, to oppose, thwart.
• contrat, m., contract.
• contre, against, versus.
• contrebande, f., contraband;
  • de ——, counterfeit.
• contre-maître, m., foreman.
• contribuer, to contribute.
• convenable, proper, suitable, fitting.
• convenir, irr., to suit, be fitting, agree, admit.
• convertir, to convert.
• convier, to invite.
• convive, m. or f., guest.
• convoi, m., procession.
• convoquer, to call together.
• coquetterie, f., coquetry.
• coquillage, m., seashell.
• corbeille, f., basket;
  • —— de mariage, trousseau chest.
• corde, f., cord.
• cornet, m., horn, trumpet.
• Corot, Jean-Baptiste-Camille, 1796-1875: the celebrated French landscape painter. La danse des Nymphes is of 1851.
• corps, m., body.
• corriger, to correct, cure, reform;
  • se —— de, to get over, outgrow.
• côté, m., side, flank;
  • à —— de, near, beside;
  • du —— de, in the direction of;
  • de ——, askance, alone;
  • de mon ——, on my side, for my part.
• côte, f., rib, side;
  • —— à ——, side by side.
• coteau, -x, m., hillock.
• cou, m., neck;
  • sauter au —— de, to throw one's arms about.
• coucher, to couch; be abed;
  • se ——, to go to bed, set.
• coude, m., elbow.
• coudoyer, to touch elbows with, hobnob with.
• coudre, irr. to sew.
• couler, to flow, run over, cast; pres. part., easy-going, yielding, accommodating.
• couleur, f., color, shade.
• coup, m., stroke, blow;
  • tout à or d'un ——, all at once;
  • —— d'œil, glance;
  • —— de pied, kick;
  • —— sur ——, one after the other;
  • pour le ——, for this time.
• coupable, guilty;
  • un grand ——, a most guilty person.
• coupe, f., cutting, sectional view;
  • ——s de bois, lumber business.
• couper, to cut.
• cour, f., court, yard;
  • faire la ——, to pay court;
  • —— d'assises, criminal court.
• courber, to bend.
• courir, irr., to run.
• couronner, to crown.
• courroux, m., anger.
• course, f., race, course;
  • cheval de ——, race-horse;
  • prendre sa ——, to start off.
• court, -e, short.
• courtisan, m., courtier.
• couru, -e, p.p. of courir.
• coussin, m., cushion, pillow.
• cousu, -e, p.p. of coudre.
• coûter, to cost.
• coutil, m., duck.
• couturière, f., dressmaker.
• couvert, m., cover (knife, fork and all the table furniture for each guest at a meal).
• couvert, -e, p.p. of couvrir.
• couvrir, irr., to cover.
• craindre, irr., to fear.
• craignit, 3rd sing. past definite of craindre.
• crainte, f., fear;
  • —— de la perdre, for fear of losing it.
• cramponner, to clamp;
  • se —— à, to stick close to.
• crapaud, m., toad.
• créance, f., credit, bill due.
• céanci-er, m., -ère, f., creditor.
• crème, f., cream, best.
• crêpe, m., crape.
• cresson, m., water-cress.
• creu-x, -se, hollow, empty-headed.
• cri, m., cry.
• criaillerie, f., clamoring.
• crier, to cry, shriek, crunch.
• cristalliser, to crystallize.
• croc, m., crook;
  • en ——, curled up.
• croire, irr., to think, believe.
• croisé, m., crusader.
• croiser, to cross.
• croître, irr., to grow.
• crouler, to crumble, fall.
• cru, -e, p.p. of croire.
• crû, -e, p.p. of croître.
• crû, m., locality, native growth.
• cruellement, cruelly.
• cueillir, irr., to gather.
• cuirasse, f., breastplate.
• cuire, irr., to cook, boil.
• cuisine, f., kitchen, table.
• cuisinière, f., cook.
• cuistre, m., pedant.
• culotte, f., breeches.
• culte, m., worship, cultivation.
• curieu-x, -se, curious, strange.
• cuve, f., vat, tank.
• D
• daigner, to deign.
• damas, m., damask.
• dame, f., lady, married woman.
• dans, in, within, amongst.
• danser, to dance;
  • sur quel pied —— avec, how to treat.
• danseur, m., -se, f., dancer.
• dater, to date;
  • datera de dix ans, will be ten years old.
• davantage, more.
• de, of, from; (after verbs) of, from, by, with, as, for;
  • —— par la loi, by law;
  • d'entre, amongst.
• débauche, f., waste of time, debauch.
• débiteur, m., debtor.
• déboire, m., mortification, disappointment.
• déborder, to overflow.
• debout, upright, standing;
  • se tenir ——, to stand.
• décacheter, to break the seal.
• décharger, to unload.
• déchiffrer, to decipher.
• déchiqueter, to tear to bits.
• décidément, decidedly, certainly.
• décider, to decide, settle;
  • se —— pour, to settle on, to choose.
• déclarer, to declare.
• découper, to carve, cut up.
• découverte, f., discovery.
• dédaigner, to disdain.
• dédaigneusement, disdainfully, with scorn.
• dedans, within, inside of;
  • le ——, the inside, interior, content.
• dédommager, to make up for, make amends for.
• déduire, irr., to deduce.
• défaire, irr., to undo;
  • se —— de, to get rid of.
• défaite, f., defeat.
• défaut, m., defect, fault.
• défendre, to defend, forbid.
• déferrer, to unshoe, disconcert;
  • se ——, to be nonplussed.
• définitivement, definitely.
• défrayer, to pay for, supply.
• dégager, to disengage; p.p., careless.
• dégénérer, to degenerate, run down.
• déguiser, to disguise.
• dehors, without, outside, out of doors;
  • le ——, the exterior.
• déjà, already.
• déjeuner, m., lunch.
• déjeuner, to lunch.
• delà, on the other side;
  • au —— de, beyond.
• délaisser, to forsake.
• délasser, to rest, recuperate, relax.
• délicatesse, f., delicacy.
• délicieu-x, -se, delicious.
• délicieusement, deliciously, most happily.
• délier, to unbind, untie; p.p., free.
• demain, to-morrow.
• demande, f., demand, request.
• demander, to ask, ask for, desire;
  • —— la porte, to signal the concierge to open the door.
• démangeaison, f., itching, great desire.
• déménager, to move out.
• démenti, m., denial.
• demeurer, to dwell, stop at, remain.
• demi, -e, half;
  • à ——, half way.
• démission, f., resignation.
• démolir, to demolish.
• dénaturer, turn away, alienate.
• denrée, f., commodity.
• dent, f., tooth.
• dentelle, f., lace.
• départ, m., departure.
• département, m., department, (one of the eighty-seven districts into which France is divided).
• dépeindre, irr., to depict.
• dépense, f., expense, manifestation.
• dépit, m., spite;
  • en —— de, in spite of.
• déplaire, irr., to displease.
• déplier, to unfold.
• déplorer, to deplore, lament.
• déployer, to make use of, unfold, display.
• dépouiller, to strip, take off one's things.
• depuis, since, during the last, for.
• député, m., representative.
• déranger, to disturb.
• derni-er, -ère, last, final.
• dérober, to steal;
  • se ——, to steal away;
  • à la dérobée, by stealth, in secret.
• dérouler, to unroll, undo.
• dès, from;
  • —— que, as soon as.
• désagréable, unpleasant.
• descendre, to descend, alight.
• désemplir, to empty.
• désert, -e, deserted.
• désespéré, -e, desperate.
• déshabiller, to undress.
• déshériter, to disinherit.
• désintéressé, -e, disinterested.
• désir, m., desire, wish.
• désirer, to desire, wish, be desirous of.
• désobéir, to disobey.
• désoler, to afflict;
  • se ——, to become disconsolate.
• désordre, m., disorder.
• désormais, henceforth.
• dessin, m., design, drawing.
• dessiner, to draw, design;
  • se ——, outline itself.
• destiner, to destine, destinate.
• détail, m., detail, trifle.
• détailler, to expose in detail.
• détremper, to soften, moisten.
• dette, f., debt.
• deuil, m., mourning.
• devancer, to get ahead of.
• devant, before;
  • au —— de, in front of;
  • courir au —— de, to run to meet.
• devenir, irr., to become.
• deviner, to devine, perceive, guess;
  • se ——, to be apparent.
• devoir, m., duty.
• devoir, irr., to owe, ought, should, must.
• dévorer, to devour.
• dévot, -e, devout, sanctimonious.
• dévotement, devoutly.
• diable, m., devil.
• Diane, f., Diana, an Italian divinity later identified with the Greek Artemis, the virgin goddess of hunting.
• diantre, the deuce.
• dicter, to dictate.
• dicton, m., proverb, saying.
• Dieu, m., God;
  • mon ——, grand ——, excl. Good Heavens!
• Dieuze, a small town in Lorraine, belonging to Germany since 1871.
• digestion, f.: visite de ——, dinner (or party) call.
• digne, worthy.
• dignement, in a dignified manner, worthily.
• digue, f., dike.
• Dijon, one of the oldest towns of France, the capital of the department of Côte-d'Or, southeast of Paris.
• diligence, f., diligence (a kind of stage-coach).
• dimanche, m., Sunday.
• diminuer, to lessen, diminish.
• dîner, m., dinner.
• dîner, to dine.
• Diogène, m., Diogenes, the Greek Cynic philosopher, 412-323 B.C.
• dire, irr., to say, tell, speak (but not to converse);
  • à vrai ——, to tell the truth;
  • c'est-à- ——, that is to say.
• diriger, to direct, superintend.
• disconvenir, irr., to fail to suit, deny.
• discours, m., discourse, speech.
• discrètement, discreetly.
• disparaître, irr., disappear.
• dispenser, to dispense, free.
• disposer, to dispose, arrange;
  • bien disposé, well-arranged, (of a person) well-inclined.
• dissimuler, to dissimulate, hide.
• dissiper, to dissipate;
  • se ——, to go away.
• distinguer, to distinguish, differentiate.
• divers, -e, (before noun) divers, sundry; (after noun) diverse.
• divin, -e, divine.
• diviser, to divide.
• divulguer, to divulge.
• dix, ten.
• dix-huit, eighteen.
• dix-septième, seventeenth.
• docteur, m., doctor.
• doigt, m., finger.
• doit, 3rd sing. pres. indic. of devoir.
• doléance, f., grief.
• domestique, m. or f., servant.
• dominer, to dominate, rule.
• donc, then, therefore.
• donner, to give, open on, fall upon;
  • —— tête baissée, to go head first, enter completely into;
  • où —— de la tête, which way to turn.
• dont, whose, of whom, of which, from which, whereof, whence.
• dorer, to gild.
• dormir, irr., to sleep.
• dossier, m., file of papers.
• dot, f., dowry (t pron.).
• doter, to give a dowry to.
• douairière, f., dowager.
• doublure, f., lining.
• douceur, f., sweetness, gentleness.
• douleur, f., grief, pain.
• doute, m., doubt.
• douter, to doubt;
  • se ——,
  • se —— de, to suspect.
• douzaine, f., dozen.
• douze, twelve.
• doyen, m., dean, oldest one, senior.
• dragon, m., dragoon.
• dresser, to draw up, arrange;
  • se ——, to rise, stand erect.
• droit, m., right, law.
• droite, f., right-hand.
• dû, due, p.p. of devoir.
• duc, m., duke.
• duchesse, f., duchess.
• dur, -e, hard.
• durer, to endure, last.
• duvet, m., down.
• E
• eau, -x, f., water.
• éblouir, to dazzle.
• éblouissement, m., dazzled state, fascination.
• écarquiller, to strain, open wide.
• échalas, m., prop.
• échange, m., exchange.
• échapper (s'), to escape, slip off.
• échelle, f., scale, ladder;
  • double ——, step-ladder.
• éclair, m., flash.
• éclairer, to enlighten; light.
• éclat, m., glory, brilliance, flame.
• éclater, to shine forth, sparkle, burst out.
• école, f., school;
  • faire l'—— buissonnière, to cut school, play truant.
• École des Chartes, f., a government school, founded in 1821, where young men are trained for library and clerical positions under the state.
• écolier, m., schoolboy.
• économique, economical.
• écossais, -e, Scotch.
• écouler (s'), to pass.
• écouter, to listen.
• écraser, to crush, flatten.
• écrier (s'), to cry out, exclaim.
• écrire, irr., to write.
• écrivit, 3rd sing. past definite of écrire.
• écrouler (s'), to crumble, fall down.
• écru, -e, ecru, dirt-color.
• écu, m., crown, three francs.
• écurie, f., stable.
• écusson, m., escutcheon.
• éducation, f., bringing up.
• effacer, to efface, eliminate.
• effaroucher, to frighten off, terrify.
• effet, m., effect;
  • en ——, in truth.
• effréné, -e, mad, uncontrollable.
• effroi, m., horror, dismay.
• effronté, -e, bold, forward.
• effronterie, f., boldness, impudence.
• égal, -e, equal, even;
  • c'est ——, it's all the same, nevertheless.
• égard, m., consideration, respect.
• église, f., church.
• élancer, to launch;
  • s'——, to spring, throw one's self; p.p., thin, slender.
• élargir, to enlarge.
• élément, m., element.
• élévation, f., elevation, front view.
• élève, m., scholar, student.
• élever, to bring up, elevate;
  • bien élevé, well-trained, refined, skilled.
• elle, she, her.
• éloge, m., eulogy.
• éloigner, to put at a distance;
  • s'——, to go away.
• éluder, to avoid, get around.
• émailler, to enamel.
• emballer, to pack up.
• embarquer, to ship;
  • s'——, to go on board, enter a vehicle, start off.
• embarras, m., embarrassment, difficulty, encumbrance.
• embarrasser, to embarrass.
• embonpoint, m., stoutness, well-rounded form.
• embrasser, to kiss, embrace and kiss.
• embrouiller, to mix up.
• émerveiller, to astonish;
  • s'—— de, to wonder at.
• émigration, f., exile of the royalists during the Revolution.
• émigré, m., royalist exile at the time of the Revolution.
• emmener, to take away, lead off.
• émotion, f., emotion, feeling.
• émouvoir, irr., to move, stir the feelings.
• emparer de (s'), to take possession of.
• empêcher, to hinder, keep from.
• empire, m., dominion.
• emploi, m., employment.
• employé, m., employee.
• employer, to make use of, employ.
• empocher, to pocket.
• emportement, m., rage.
• emporter, to take, carry off.
• empourprer, to make purple;
  • s'——, to grow purple.
• empressement, m., eagerness, zeal.
• empresser (s'), to hasten, be eager.
• en, pronoun, of it, of them; adv., thence; prep., into, at, to, in.
• encadrer, to frame, surround.
• encanailler, to degrade;
  • s'——, to lower one's self.
• enchanter, to enchant.
• encombrer, to encumber.
• encore, still, yet, again.
• encre, f., ink;
  • —— de Chine, India ink (for drawing).
• endiablé, -e, possessed with a devil.
• endormi, m., sleepy-head.
• endormir, irr., to go to sleep.
• énerver, to enervate, weaken.
• enfance, f., infancy, childhood.
• enfant, m. or f., child.
• enfantin, -e, childish.
• enfermer, to shut up.
• enfoncer, to sink in, thrust, break in.
• enfin, finally.
• enfuir (s'), irr., to flee away, escape.
• engager, to engage;
  • s'——, to start off.
• engelure, f., chilblain.
• engouement, m., infatuation.
• enivrement, m., intoxication.
• enivrer, to intoxicate.
• enlever, to remove, carry off.
• ennoblir, to ennoble.
• ennui, m., ennui, dislike, weariness.
• ennuyer, to weary, bore.
• énorme, huge, immense.
• enseigne, f., sign.
• enseigner, to teach, show.
• ensemble, together.
• ensuite, after that.
• entamer, to begin on, start on.
• entendre, to hear, understand;
  • s'——, to hear oneself; come to an understanding.
• enti-er, -ère, entire, whole.
• entourer, to surround.
• entraîner, to carry off, cause to go.
• entraver, to check.
• entre, between, amongst;
  • d'——, amongst;
  • —— nous, in confidence, alone, together.
• entrecouper, to punctuate, interrupt.
• entrée, f., entrance.
• entrelacer, to interlace.
• entreprise, f., enterprise, undertaking.
• entrer, to enter;
  • —— en fureur, to fly into a passion.
• entretenir, irr., to entertain, talk to.
• entrevue, f., meeting.
• envahir, to invade.
• envelopper, to wrap up.
• enverrai, 1st sing. future of envoyer.
• envie, f., envy, malice.
• envier, to envy.
• environs, m. pl., neighborhood.
• envoyer, irr., to send.
• épais, -se, thick, bushy.
• épanouir, to spread, come to full bloom; p.p., wide open, in full bloom, expansive.
• épargner, to spare, save.
• épaule, f., shoulder.
• épée, f., sword.
• époque, f., epoch.
• épouse, f., bride, wife.
• épouser, to marry.
• épouvantable, fearful, awful.
• épouvantail, m., scarecrow.
• époux, m., husband; pl., married people, husband and wife.
• épreuve, f., proof;
  • à l'—— de, proof against.
• éprouver, to experience, feel.
• épuiser, to exhaust, wear out.
• escalier, m., stairway.
• escient, m., knowledge;
  • à bon ——, knowingly.
• esclave, m. or f., slave.
• escorter, to escort.
• espalier, m., trellis, lattice against a wall for growing fruit.
• espérance, f., hope.
• espérer, to hope, expect.
• espoir, m., hope.
• esprit, m., spirit, wit, mind, sense, judgment.
• essayer, to try, try on.
• essuyer, to dry.
• estimable, worthy.
• estime, f., esteem, good opinion.
• estomac, m., stomach (c silent).
• établir, to establish, make provision for;
  • s'——, to settle oneself.
• étage, m., story, floor;
  • second ——, third floor.
• étalage, m., display.
• étaler, to expose, display;
  • s'——, to be displayed.
• état, m., state, condition.
• été, m., summer.
• éteindre, irr., extinguish;
  • s'——, to die out.
• étendre, to extend, expand, stretch;
  • s'——, to last, reach, extend.
• étinceler, to sparkle.
• étoffe, f., stuff, material.
• étonnement, m., astonishment.
• étonner, to astonish;
  • s'——, to wonder, be astonished.
• étouffer, to choke, stifle.
• étourdiment, foolishly, heedlessly, gaily.
• étourdir, to terrify, dumbfound, stun.
• étourdissement, m., dizziness.
• étrange, strange, curious.
• étrang-er, m., -ère, f., stranger, foreigner; adj., unused, unusual.
• être, irr., to be;
  • —— de la maison, to be one of the family;
  • en —— de, to be out for;
  • s'en —— à, to go about.
• être, m., being.
• étroit, -e, narrow, limited.
• étude, f., study, office.
• étudiant, m., student.
• étudier, to study, take a course in.
• Ève, f., Eve.
• éveiller, to awaken;
  • s'——, to wake up.
• événement, m., event.
• évidemment, evidently.
• éviter, to avoid.
• exactement, precisely, exactly.
• exagérer, to exaggerate.
• examen, m., examination.
• examiner, to examine.
• exaspération, f., exasperation.
• exaspérer, to exasperate.
• excepté, except.
• excès, m., excess.
• excessivement, extremely.
• exclure, irr., to exclude.
• excuser, to pardon, excuse.
• exécuter, to perform, execute.
• exercer, to exercise, affect, practice.
• exhaler, to give forth;
  • s'——, come forth.
• exiger, to exact.
• exister, to exist.
• exorde, m., exordium, beginning.
• expérience, f., experience, experiment.
• expliquer, to explain.
• exploitation, f., management, promoting.
• exploiter, to make the most of a good thing, take advantage of, promote.
• exposer, to expose.
• expressi-f, -ve, expressive.
• exprimer, to express, indicate.
• exquis, -e, exquisite, charming.
• extérieur, -e, exterior.
• extrémité, f., utmost, extremity.
• F
• fable, f., fable, talk.
• fabrique, f., factory.
• fabuleusement, fabulously.
• face, f., face, front, head (of a coin);
  • en ——, opposite.
• fâcher, to offend;
  • se ——, to get angry.
• facile, easy.
• façon, f., fashion, manner, ceremony, formality;
  • de —— à, so as to;
  • sans ——, most informally.
• factice, imaginary, false.
• facture, f., bill, invoice.
• faible, feeble, weak.
• faiblesse, f., weakness, feebleness.
• faillir, irr., to fail, just miss.
• faire, irr., to make, do, cause, give rise to;
  • —— à sa tête, to do as one pleases;
  • —— bonne figure, to appear well;
  • —— de la peine à, to trouble;
  • —— entrer, to show in;
  • —— envie à, to excite the envy of;
  • —— fond sur, to depend upon;
  • —— prendre, to send for;
  • —— sa malle, to pack one's trunk;
  • —— savoir à, to inform;
  • —— tête à, to withstand, sustain;
  • —— un tour, to take a stroll;
  • —— venir, to summon;
  • se ——, to become, arise;
  • se —— prier, to have to be urged.
• fait, m., fact, deed;
  • au ——, in fact;
  • si ——, yes indeed;
  • tout à ——, entirely;
  • je lui dirai son ——, I will settle him.
• falloir, irr. impersonal, to be necessary, have to, must;
  • s'en ——, to be lacking, lack.
• fallu, -e, p.p. of falloir.
• famili-er, -ère, familiar, friendly, tame.
• famille, f., family.
• fanatique, m., fanatic.
• faner, to fade.
• fantaisie, f., fancy, whim.
• farce, f., joke.
• fardeau, -x, m., burden.
• farouche, wild, savage, shy.
• fastidieu-x, -se, tiresome, unpleasant.
• fatuité, f., conceit.
• faudra, 3rd sing. future of falloir.
• faut, 3rd sing. pres. indic. of falloir.
• faute, f., fault;
  • sans ——, without fail;
  • —— de, for lack of.
• fauteuil, m., armchair.
• fau-x, -sse, false.
• faveur, f., favor.
• favori, -te, favorite.
• favoriser, to aid, favor.
• fécondité, f., fruitfulness.
• fée, f., fairy;
  • conte de ——, fairy-tale.
• féliciter, to congratulate.
• femme, f., woman, wife.
• fer, m., iron.
• fermer, to shut, close.
• fête, f., feast, birthday, party.
• Fête-Dieu, Corpus Christi, a movable feast of the Roman Catholic Church, coming in June, eleven days after Whitsunday.
• fêter, to feast, entertain.
• feu, -x, m., fire.
• feuille, f., leaf, page.
• feuilleter, to turn over leaves.
• fiancé, m., -é, f., engaged person.
• fidèle, faithful.
• fidélité, f., faithfulness, adhesion.
• fi-er, -ère, proud, haughty.
• fièrement, proudly.
• fierté, f., pride.
• fièvre, f., fever, feverishness.
• fiévreu-x, -se, feverish.
• figure, f., face, appearance;
  • faire bonne ——, to appear well;
  • prendre ——, to develop, grow shapely.
• figurer, to figure, imagine.
• fil, m., thread (l pron.).
• fille, f., daughter, girl.
• fillette, f., little girl.
• filleul, m., godson.
• filon, m., vein.
• fils, m., son (l silent, s pron.);
  • de père en ——, from father to son.
• fin, f., end.
• finement, finely, delicately.
• finir, to finish, end.
• Finistère, m., the most western department of France, part of the old province of Brittany.
• fit, 3rd sing. past definite of faire.
• fixer, to arrange.
• flamme, f., flame.
• flatter, to flatter.
• flatteu-r, -se, flattering.
• flèche, f., arrow.
• fleur, f., flower.
• fleurir, to flower; p.p., flowery.
• fleuve, m., river.
• flotter, to float, wave.
• foi, f., faith;
  • ma ——, upon my honor, indeed.
• fois, f., time;
  • à la ——, at the same time.
• folle, f., madwoman.
• fonction, f., function, duty.
• fond, m., depth, bottom, back;
  • au ——, truly, at the bottom of one's heart;
  • faire —— sur, to depend upon;
  • de —— en comble, from top to bottom, completely.
• fonder, to found.
• fondre, to melt;
  • —— en larmes, to burst into tears; p.p., shapeless.
• fonte, f., melting, casting (of pig-iron, etc.).
• force, f., force;
  • à —— de, by dint of, through.
• forcer, to force.
• forêt, f., forest.
• forge, f., foundry, iron works.
• forger, to forge.
• forgeron, m., blacksmith, forge-director.
• former, to form, mould.
• fort, very much, indeed, extremely.
• fossette, f., dimple.
• fou, m., fool;
  • maudit ——, madman.
• fou, fol, pl. fous, m., folle, -s, f., foolish, mad.
• foudre, f., lightning.
• foudroyant, -e, terrible, overwhelming.
• fouiller, to search, rummage.
• fouillis, m., heap, jumble.
• foulard, m., foulard silk.
• foule, f., crowd.
• fouler, to trample.
• fourneau, -x, m., furnace;
  • haut ——, blast furnace.
• fournisseur, m., tradesman.
• fourré, -e, thick, dense.
• fourrer, to thrust, stuff.
• fourrure, f., fur.
• Foy, Maximilien-Sébastien, 1775-1825, a famous French general and statesman.
• fracas, m., noise, uproar.
• fraîcheur, f., freshness, cold air.
• frais, fraîche, fresh.
• frais, m. pl., costs, expenses, expenditures.
• fraise, f., strawberry.
• fran-c, -che, free, frank.
• franc, m., franc. (The French monetary unit, equivalent to about twenty cents in U. S. currency.)
• français, -e, French.
• franchement, really, unrestrainedly.
• franchir, to cross.
• franc-maçon, -ne, freemason-like.
• franco, free;
  • —— à bord, f. o. b., free on board.
• frapper, to strike, rap.
• frayer, to graze, rub against.
• fredaine, f., prank, frolic.
• frêle, slender.
• frémir, to tremble, shudder.
• fréquent, -e, frequent.
• frère, m., brother.
• fripon, m., -ne, f., rogue.
• frisson, m., shudder, shiver.
• froid, -e, cold.
• froisser, to crumple, crush, irritate, ruffle.
• froncer, to frown.
• front, m., forehead, front.
• frontière, f., frontier, boundary.
• frottement, m., friction, rubbing.
• frotter, to rub;
  • se —— à, rub elbows with.
• fruitier, m., orchard.
• fuir, irr., to flee.
• fuite, f., flight.
• fumée, f., smoke.
• funérailles, f. pl., funeral, obsequies.
• funeste, sad, baleful.
• fureur, f., rage;
  • entrer en ——, to become enraged.
• G
• gagner, to gain, win, reach.
• gaillard, -e, gay.
• galant, -e, gallant;
  • un —— homme, a fine fellow.
• galoper, to gallop.
• garçon, m., boy, waiter;
  • vieux ——, old bachelor.
• garde, f., guard, care;
  • n'avoir —— de, be careful not to.
• garder, to keep.
• garnement, m., scapegrace.
• garnison, f., garrison, station.
• gaspiller, to waste.
• gâteau, -x, m., cake.
• gâter, to spoil.
• gauche, f., left-hand; adj., awkward, left.
• gaucherie, f., awkwardness.
• gendarme, m., gendarme, officer of the law in the service of the state.
• gendre, m., son-in-law.
• généalogique, genealogical.
• gêner, to hinder, embarrass.
• genou, -x, m., knee.
• genre, m., race, kind.
• gens, m. or f. pl., people, persons;
  • —— de bien, worthy people;
  • —— de revue, people who frequently meet.
• gentilhomme, -s -s, m., gentleman.
• geste, m., gesture.
• girandole, f., branched candlestick.
• gîte, m., resting-place.
• glace, f., ice.
• glacer, to freeze.
• gland, m., acorn.
• glisser, to slip.
• glorieu-x, -se, radiant, glorious.
• gloser, to annotate, compare notes.
• glycine, f., climbing vetch.
• gorge, f., throat;
  • faire des ——s chaudes, to ridicule.
• gourmandise, f., love of good living.
• goût, m., taste;
  • prendre —— à, or se mettre en —— de, to get a taste for.
• goutte, f., drop.
• gouvernante, f., governess, housekeeper.
• gouvernement, m., government.
• grâce, f., favor, mercy;
  • —— à, thanks to.
• gracieu-x, -se, gracious.
• grand, -e, large, tall, chief, important;
  • huit ——s jours, eight whole days.
• grandelet, -te, tallish.
• grandir, to grow, enlarge.
• grand-livre, m., ledger.
• grand'mère, f., grandmother.
• grand-père, -s -s, m., grandfather.
• grappe, f., bunch, cluster.
• gras, -se, fat, rich, luxurious.
• gravement, gravely.
• gravir, to climb.
• gravure, f., engraving.
• gré, m., will, pleasure;
  • savoir —— à, to feel kindly towards.
• grec, grecque, Greek.
• grelot, m., bell.
• grès, m., clay, earthenware.
• grève, f., strike;
  • se mettre en ——, to go on a strike.
• grignoter, to eat, nibble.
• grille, f., iron gateway or fence.
• grimace, f., grimace.
• grimoire, m., scrawl, tangle.
• grimper, to climb.
• grippe, f., grip;
  • prendre en ——, to take a dislike to.
• gronder, to scold, chide.
• grondeu-r, -se, fault finding.
• gros, -se, big, fat.
• grossi-er, -ère, coarse.
• grossièrement, grossly.
• grotesquement, grotesquely.
• grotte, f., grotto.
• guère: ne ... ——, scarcely.
• guérir, to cure.
• guerre, f., war.
• guetter, to watch.
• H
• habiller, to dress.
• habit, m., suit, coat; pl., clothes.
• habiter, to dwell in, stop at.
• haine, f., hatred;
  • prendre en ——, to hate.
• haleine, f., breath;
  • d'une ——, at a stretch.
• haïr, irr., to hate.
• haletant, -e, panting, breathing fast.
• hamac, m., hammock (c pron.).
• hameau, -x, m., hamlet.
• hardes, f. pl., clothes, wearing apparel.
• hardiesse, f., boldness.
• harmonieusement, sweetly.
• harnois, m., harness.
• hasard, m., chance.
• hâte, f., haste.
• hâter, to hurry;
  • se ——, to make haste.
• haut, -e, high, tall;
  • de ——, in height.
• héberger, to entertain, shelter.
• hébéter, to render dull, stupify.
• hectare, f., hectare, 10,000 square meters (2.47 acres).
• hélas, alas (s is pron.).
• Hélène, Helen of Troy, wife of Menelaus, carried off by Paris.
• Henri III, Henry Third, 1551-1589; the most frivolous of the Valois kings.
• Henri IV, Henry Fourth, 1553-1610, the most popular of the kings of France; the first of the Bourbon dynasty.
• herbe, f., grass.
• hérisser, to bristle.
• héritage, m., inheritance.
• héroïque, heroic.
• heure, f., hour, time;
  • onze ——s, eleven o'clock;
  • à la bonne ——, well and good;
  • le quart d'——, the time being, the moment.
• heureu-x, -se, happy, light-hearted, fortunate.
• heureusement, happily.
• hirondelle, f., swallow.
• histoire, f., history, story.
• hiver, m., winter.
• hobereau, -x, m., country squire.
• hocher, to raise, toss.
• holà, hello;
  • mettre le ——, to put a stop to.
• homme, m., man;
  • un brave ——, a good man;
  • un galant ——, a fine fellow.
• honneur, m., honor; pl., titles, marks of distinction.
• honorable, worthy, honorable, suitable.
• honte, f., shame.
• horloge, f., great clock.
• hormis, except.
• hors de, beyond, outside of, besides.
• hôte, m., guest, host.
• hôtel, m., private separate house, as distinguished from appartement, flat; hotel.
• hôtelier, m., hotel-keeper.
• hotte, f., basket carried on back.
• houille, f., coal.
• houillère, f., coal-mine.
• Hozier (1592-1660), an expert on genealogy.
• huit, eight;
  • —— jours, a week.
• humeur, f., disposition, humor.
• humide, wet, humid;
  • regards ——s, tearful glances.
• humilier, to humiliate.
• hurler, to shout, wail.
• I
• ici, here, in this;
  • par ——, this way.
• idée, f., idea, thought.
• ignorer, to be ignorant of.
• il, ils, he, they.
• illégitime, illegitimate.
• illuminer, to light up.
• illustre, famous, notable.
• imaginer, to imagine;
  • s'——, to think, imagine.
• imbécile, m., fool, half-wit, simpleton.
• impatienter (s'), to grow impatient.
• impétueu-x, -se, impetuous.
• importer, to be of consequence, concern;
  • qu'importe, what does it matter;
  • n'importe, no matter.
• imposer, to lay upon, impose.
• imprévoyance, f., lack of foresight.
• impuissance, f., powerlessness, impotence.
• inassouvi, -e, unsatisfied.
• incertain, -e, undecided.
• incessamment, immediately, at any moment.
• incontestablement, incontestably.
• indépendamment, independently.
• index, m., forefinger.
• indigène, m. or f., savage, native.
• indiquer, to indicate, point out.
• inégal, -e, unequal.
• inespéré, -e, unlooked for, unhoped for.
• infliger, to inflict.
• influent, -e, influential.
• informer, to inform, tell;
  • s'——, to find out, inquire for.
• infranchissable, insurmountable.
• ingénieur, m., civil engineer.
• ingrat, -e, ungrateful, displeasing;
  • l'âge ——, the awkward age; subst., ingrate.
• injure, f., insult.
• innocemment, innocently.
• inonder, to inundate.
• inqui-et, -ète, restless.
• inquiéter, to trouble;
  • s'——, to be uneasy about, take an interest in.
• inscrire, irr., to inscribe.
• insensiblement, insensibly.
• insinuer, to insinuate.
• inspirer, to inspire.
• installer, to install, put up.
• institutrice, f., teacher.
• instruction, f., instruction, education.
• insupportable, unbearable.
• intempestif, -ve, untimely.
• intendant, m., steward, superintendent.
• interdire, irr., to interdict; p.p., overcome, embarrassed.
• intéresser, to interest, entertain.
• intérêt, m., interest.
• interroger, to question.
• intime, intimate, homelike.
• intimider, to intimidate.
• intolérable, unpleasant, disagreeable.
• intraitable, strict.
• introducteur, m., introducer.
• introduire, m., to introduce.
• inutile, useless.
• Invalides. The Hôtel des Invalides was founded in Paris in 1670 as a home for disabled and infirm soldiers.
• inventaire, m., inventory.
• inventer, to invent.
• inventeur, m., inventor.
• invité, m., invited guest.
• inviter, to invite.
• irai, 1st sing. future of aller.
• isolement, m., isolation.
• italien, -ne, Italian.
• Italiens, or les Italiens, the old Italian theatre in Paris, for many years the home of light opera.
• ivre, intoxicated.
• J
• Jacquet, Jimmy.
• jadis, once, formerly.
• jalousie, f., lattice, blind.
• jalou-x, -se, jealous.
• jamais, ever;
  • ne ... jamais, never.
• jardin, m., garden.
• jardinier, m., gardener.
• jarre, f., jar.
• jasmin, m., jasmine.
• jaspe, m., jasper.
• jaune, yellow.
• jaunir, to become yellow.
• jeter, to throw, cast, toss aside.
• jeu, m., play, gambling.
• jeune, young.
• jeunesse, f., youth;
  • cette ——, that young person.
• joie, f., joy, pleasure, satisfaction.
• joindre, irr., to join, add.
• joint, m., joint, joining.
• joli, -e, pretty, nice.
• joncher, to strew.
• joue, f., cheek.
• jouer, to play.
• jouet, m., plaything.
• joufflu, -e, chubby.
• jouir de, to enjoy.
• jour, m., day;
  • au petit ——, at dawn;
  • huit ——s, a week;
  • quinze ——s, a fortnight.
• journ-al, -aux, m., newspaper;
  • journaux du jour, daily papers;
  • Journal des tailleurs, Tailor's Review.
• joyeu-x, -se, happy, merry.
• joyeusement, merrily.
• jucher, to perch.
• jugement, m., opinion.
• juger, to think, esteem, judge.
• juillet, m., July.
• juin, m., June.
• Julie, Julia.
• jupon, m., skirt.
• jurer, to swear, take an oath.
• jusque, until.
• jusque-là, until then.
• juste, so, just, true, exactly.
• justice, f., justice, law;
  • appeler en ——, to sue;
  • en bonne ——, of a right.
• justifier, to justify.
• K
• kilo, kilogramme, m., kilogram (2.2 lbs.).
• L
• là, there; (hyphenated to preceding word for emphasis) that, there, on that side.
• la, pl. les, f. art., the; pronoun, her, it.
• labeur, m., labor.
• là-dessus, thereon, thereupon, in addition to that, over that.
• La Fayette, Marie-Jean-Paul-Roch-Yves-Gilbert-Motier, marquis de La Fayette, 1757-1834. The famous French general of the American Revolution and the leader of the conservative reformers before the French Revolution.
• là-haut, up there.
• laid, -e, ugly, hideous, ill-featured.
• laine, f., wool.
• laisser, to let, permit, allow, suffer, leave.
• lait, m., milk.
• lamenter, and se ——, to bewail, lament.
• lancer, to throw, cast, start off;
  • se ——, to rush.
• languissant, -e, languishing, enervated.
• lanterne, f., lantern.
• lapin, m., rabbit.
• laquais, m., lackey, footman.
• laquelle, lesquelles, f., which, what.
• large, broad.
• largement, freely, with open hand.
• larme, f., tear.
• larmoyer, to shed tears.
• larron, m., thief;
  • —— de noblesse, thief of a noble.
• las, -se, weary.
• lasser, to tire;
  • se ——, to grow weary.
• laver, to wash.
• lavis, m., India-ink drawing.
• layette, f., baby's wardrobe.
• le, pl. les, m. art., the; pronoun, him, it.
• leçon, f., lesson.
• lecture, f., reading;
  • cabinet de ——, pay reading-room.
• lég-er, -ère, light.
• légèrement, lightly.
• légitime, legitimate.
• lendemain, to-morrow;
  • le ——, the next day.
• lent, -e, slow.
• lentement, slowly.
• lequel, -s, m., which, what.
• lettre, f., letter;
  • —— de change, draft.
• leur, to them; their, theirs.
• lever, to raise;
  • se ——, to rise.
• lèvre, f., lip.
• liaison, f., connection.
• liasse, f., bundle.
• liberté, f., freedom.
• libre, free;
  • —— à toi de, you are free to.
• lier, to bind.
• lieu, -x, m., place;
  • avoir ——, to take place;
  • avoir —— de, to have occasion to;
  • au —— de, in place of.
• lieue, f., league, 3 miles.
• ligne, f., line, direction.
• limite, f., limit, bounds.
• limpide, clear.
• liqueur, f., liquor.
• lire, irr., to read.
• lisière, f., border, edge.
• liste, f., list.
• lit, m., bed;
  • —— de camp, camp-bed, cot.
• liteau, -x, m., stripe.
• livre, m., book;
  • —— d'or, golden record.
• livre, f., livre, franc, pound.
• livrée, f., livery.
• livrer, to deliver, give up, leave.
• locataire, f., lodger, tenant.
• loger, to lodge, house.
• logis, m., dwelling.
• loi, f., law.
• loin, far.
• lointain, -e, far.
• Loire, f., a department of central France.
• loisir, m., leisure.
• long, -ue, long;
  • le —— de, along.
• longtemps, a long time.
• longuement, long.
• lorgner, to ogle.
• lorrain, -e, of Lorraine.
• Lorraine, f., one of the old provinces of France on the eastern border; since 1871 half of it has belonged to the German Empire.
• lorsque, when.
• louange, f., praise.
• louer, to praise.
• louis, m., louis (twenty-franc gold-piece).
• Louis IX, born 1215, called Saint Louis, king of France 1226-1270.
• Louis XV, born 1710, king of France 1715-1774, the great-grandson of Louis Fourteenth, and grandfather of Louis Sixteenth, Louis Eighteenth, and Charles Tenth.
• Louis XVI, born 1754, guillotined 1793, grandson of Louis Fifteenth, reigned 1774-1792.
• Louis XVIII, 1755-1824, brother of Louis Sixteenth. He assumed the title of King of France in 1795, but did not begin to reign until 1814.
• loup, m., wolf.
• lourd, -e, heavy.
• Louvre, m. The chief palace of the kings of France from the thirteenth century until Louis Fourteenth built Versailles. The present edifice, on the right bank of the Seine, was begun by Francis First in 1541, and has been added to by almost all of the succeeding rulers. The art collections were first placed there in 1793.
• lu, -e, p.p. of lire.
• Lucette, diminutive for Lucile.
• lugubre, lugubrious.
• lui, he, him; to him, to her.
• luire, irr., to shine, gleam.
• lumière, f., light.
• lune, f., moon;
  • —— de miel, honeymoon.
• lunette, f., lens; pl., spectacles.
• lustre, m., chandelier.
• lustrer, to wax.
• lutte, f., strife.
• luxe, m., luxury, elegance.
• Luxembourg, m., the palace, with its fine garden, dates from 1615-1620; it stands near the heart of the Latin Quarter. The palace is now famous for its splendid collection of modern paintings and sculpture and also as the home of the French Senate.
• M
• madame, f., madam;
  • Mme, Mrs.
• mademoiselle, f., miss;
  • Mlle, Miss.
• magasin, m., shop, store.
• magnifique, splendid, magnificent.
• magot, m., ape-faced creature.
• Mahomet, Mohammed, 570-632.
• mai, m., May.
• maigre, thin.
• maigreur, f., thinness.
• main, f., hand.
• maintenant, now.
• maintenir, irr., to maintain.
• mairie, f., town-hall, mayor's office.
• mais, but; (introductory) why.
• maison, f., house;
  • être de la ——, to be one of the family.
• maître, f., master;
  • —— de forges, iron-master.
• maître-autel, m., high-altar.
• maîtresse, f., mistress.
• majesté, f., majesty;
  • Sa ——, S. M., His Majesty.
• majestueu-x, -se, imposing, majestic.
• mal, maux, m., harm, ill.
• mal, badly, wrong.
• malade, ill, sick.
• maladroit, -e, awkward, unskilful.
• malgré, in spite of.
• malhabile, unskilful.
• malheur, m., misfortune.
• malheureusement, unfortunately.
• malheureu-x, -se, unfortunate.
• malicieusement, slyly, wickedly.
• malicieu-x, -se, malicious.
• malle, f., trunk;
  • faire sa ——, to pack one's trunk.
• malsain, -e, unhealthful.
• malveillant, -e, ill-wishing.
• maman, f., mama.
• manche, f., sleeve.
• manger, to eat;
  • —— du bout des doigts, to touch scarcely a mouthful.
• manie, f., mania, madness.
• manière, f., manner.
• manquer, to lack, be in need of, fail, lack in respect;
  • vous me manquez, I miss you.
• marbrier, m., marble cutter.
• marchand, m., merchant, tradesman.
• marchander, to bargain, haggle.
• marchandise, f., merchandise, goods.
• marche, f., progress.
• marché, m., market, bargain;
  • à bon ——, cheap, cheaply.
• marchepied, m., carriage step.
• marcher, to march, stride, walk; (of a business) to go along, run.
• mardi, m., Tuesday.
• maréchale, f. of maréchal, field-marshal.
• Margot, Maggie.
• mari, m., husband.
• mariage, m., marriage, wedding.
• marié, m., groom.
• mariée, f., bride.
• marier, to marry off, marry;
  • se ——, to get married.
• marmite, f., pot with flat, turned-up feet;
  • nez en pied de ——, snub nose.
• marque, f., mark.
• marquer, to mark.
• marquis, m., marquis, marquess.
• marquisat, m., marquisate, rank of marquis.
• marquise, f., marquise, marchioness.
• marraine, f., godmother.
• marronnier, m., horsechestnut tree.
• masque, m., mask.
• matelot, m., sailor.
• maternel, -le, maternal.
• matin, m., morning; adv., early.
• matineu-x, -se, early-rising.
• maudire, irr., to curse, blame, swear at;
  • maudit fou, madman.
• maussade, sullen.
• mauvais, -e, poor, bad.
• maxime, f., maxim, principle.
• méchant, -e, naughty, wicked, mean.
• mécompte, m., disappointment.
• médecin, m., physician.
• médire, irr., to slander, speak ill.
• médisant, -e, sharp-tongued.
• méditer, to meditate, think over.
• mégarde, f., mistake;
  • par ——, through carelessness.
• meilleur, -e, better;
  • le ——, the best.
• mélancoliquement, in melancholy fashion.
• mêler, to mingle, mix.
• même, even, same; (hyphenated to preceding word) self.
• mémoire, f., memory.
• mémoire, m., memorandum.
• menacer, to threaten.
• ménage, m., house-keeping, family life.
• ménagement, m., handling, kind treatment.
• ménager, to manage, prepare, treat discreetly or kindly.
• mendiant, m., beggar.
• Ménélas, Menelaus, king of Argos, the husband of Helen.
• mener, to bring, lead, conduct.
• meneur, m., leader.
• mensonge, m., lie.
• menton, m., chin.
• mépriser, to despise, look down upon.
• merci, thank you, no thank you.
• mère, f., mother.
• mériter, to deserve, be worthy of.
• merle, m., blackbird.
• merveilleusement, marvellously.
• mésalliance, f., marriage beneath one's rank.
• mésallier (se), to marry beneath one's rank.
• mésange, f., titmouse, tomtit, chickadee.
• messe, f., mass.
• messieurs, m. pl., gentlemen.
• mesure, f., measurement, dimension;
  • à —— que, in proportion as;
  • en —— de, in a position to.
• mesurer, to measure.
• métallurgique, metallurgical, having to do with metal working.
• métier, m., trade, position.
• mètre, m., meter (39.37 inches).
• mettre, irr., to put, place, put on, set;
  • —— le holà, put a stop to;
  • se —— à, to begin;
  • se —— en goût, to develop a taste for;
  • se —— en grève, to go on a strike.
• meuble, m., piece of furniture, furniture.
• meubler, to furnish.
• meurt, 3rd sing. pres. indic. of mourir.
• microscopique, microscopical.
• midi, m., noon, south.
• miel, m., honey;
  • lune de ——, honeymoon.
• mien, m., mienne, f., mine.
• mieux, adv., better;
  • le ——, the best.
• mièvrerie, f., affectation.
• mignon, -ne, dainty, delicate; subst., darling.
• migraine, f., headache.
• milieu, m., midst;
  • au —— de, in the midst of, amongst.
• mille, m., thousand (the number; ll not liquid).
• millier, m., thousand (the quantity; ll not liquid).
• million, m., million (ll not liquid).
• mine, f., mine;
  • étudier les ——s, to take a course in mining engineering.
• mineur, m., miner.
• ministère, m., ministry, department.
• ministériel, -le, of the government.
• ministre, m., minister, cabinet-minister.
• minutieu-x, -se, minute.
• mirer, to look at a reflecting surface;
  • se ——, to look at oneself or at one's reflection.
• mis, -e, p.p. of mettre.
• misanthropie, f., hatred of society.
• misérable, m., wretch.
• misère, f., pittance, trifle, misery.
• miséricorde, f., pity; excl., mercy upon us!
• mobile, changeable, mobile.
• mobilier, m., furniture, house-furnishings.
• mode, f., fashion, manner;
  • à la ——, in fashion, in style.
• modèle, m., model, pattern.
• modestement, modestly, unpretentiously.
• moelleu-x, -se, soft, downy.
• moi, me, I.
• moins, less;
  • le ——, the least;
  • à —— que, unless;
  • au ——, at least.
• mois, m., month.
• Moïse, Moses.
• moissonner, to gather, reap.
• moitié, f., half.
• Molière, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, 1622-1673, the famous dramatist and comedian.
• mon, m., ma, f., mes, pl., my.
• monceau, -x, m., heap, pile.
• monde, m., world, society;
  • le grand ——, fashionable society, the aristocracy;
  • tout le ——, everybody;
  • avoir du ——, to be well-bred, know the ways of the world.
• monnaie, f., money, change.
• monsieur, M., m., sir, Mr., gentleman; pl. messieurs, gentlemen (o, u, r silent).
• mont, m., mount.
• montagne, f., mountain.
• Montague, Lady Mary, 1689-1762. An English authoress who traveled extensively and who recounted her experiences and impressions in Letters, published in 1763 and 1767.
• monter, to mount, go up;
  • —— à cheval, to ride;
  • —— une maison, to set up an establishment.
• montrer, to show.
• monture, f., mounting, setting, mount.
• morbleu, excl., heavens.
• mordre, to bite.
• mort, f., death.
• mort, -e, p.p. of mourir.
• mot, m., word.
• mouchoir, m., handkerchief.
• moudre, irr., to grind.
• moue, f., wry-face.
• moulu, -e, p.p. of moudre;
  • —— de fatigue, completely tired out.
• mourir, irr., to die.
• mousse, f., moss.
• moustache, f., mustache.
• moyen, m., means.
• moyen, -ne, intermediate, middle.
• mur, m., wall.
• murmurer, to murmur.
• musée, m., museum.
• mutiner, to mutiny, rise.
• mystère, m., mystery.
• N
• nage, f., swimming;
  • en ——, in a perspiration.
• naissance, f., birth;
  • acte de ——, certificate of birth;
  • droit de ——, birthright, inheritance.
• naissant, -e, pres. part. of naître.
• naître, irr., to be born.
• naïvement, simply, like a child.
• Nancy. An ancient city in eastern France, the former capital of Lorraine.
• naquit, 3rd sing. past definite of naître.
• natte, f., mat.
• naturellement, naturally.
• navigateur, m., sailor.
• naviguer, to navigate.
• ne, no, not;
  • —— ... pas, no, not;
  • —— ... point, not at all;
  • —— ... guère, scarcely;
  • —— ... jamais, never;
  • —— ... nullement, in no wise;
  • —— ... personne, no one, nobody;
  • —— ... plus, no more;
  • —— ... que, only;
  • —— ... rien, nothing.
• né, -e, p.p. of naître.
• Nébo, Mount Nebo, now Jebel Naba, a summit of Abarim, Moab, seven miles north-east of the Dead Sea; the point from which Moses viewed the Promised Land before dying.
• net, -te, clean, clear;
  • déclarer ——, declare plainly.
• neuf, nine.
• neu-f, -ve, new, fresh, unsoiled.
• nez, m., nose.
• ni ... ni, neither ... nor.
• niais, -e, stupid, foolish.
• niaisement, stupidly.
• nid, m., nest.
• nier, to deny.
• nigaud, -e, booby.
• niveau, -x, m., level.
• noblesse, f., nobility.
• noces, f. pl., wedding, nuptials;
  • être de ——, to be a wedding-guest.
• nocturne, nocturnal.
• noir, -e, black.
• noircir, to blacken.
• nom, m., name.
• nombre, m., number.
• nombreu-x, -se, numerous.
• non, no.
• nostalgie, f., homesickness.
• notaire, m., notary.
• note, f., bill, memorandum, notice.
• noter, to note, number.
• notoriété, f., notoriety, hearsay.
• notre, pl. nos, adj., our.
• nôtre, pronoun, ours;
  • les nôtres, our set.
• noueu-x, -se, knotty.
• nous, we, us, to us.
• nouveau, nouvel, pl. nouveaux, m., nouvelle, -s, f., new.
• nouveauté, f., novelty; pl., haberdashery, furnishings.
• nouvelle, f., news;
  • de leurs ——s, news of them.
• nuage, m., cloud, mist.
• nuire, irr., to harm, injure.
• nuit, f., night;
  • à la —— tombante, at twilight.
• nul, -le, no, none.
• nullement: ne ... ——, in no wise.
• numéro, nº., m., number (in a series).
• numéroter, to number.
• O
• obéir, to obey.
• objecter, to object, make the objection.
• objet, m., object, thing.
• obliger, to oblige;
  • bien obligé, much obliged, thank you.
• observateur, m., observer, onlooker.
• obstiné, -e, obstinate;
  • un ——, an obstinate fellow.
• obstinément, obstinately.
• obtenir, irr., to obtain.
• occuper, to occupy;
  • s'—— de, to busy oneself about, be interested in.
• octobre, m., October.
• odeur, f., odor.
• odorat, m., sense of smell; "smeller."
• œil, pl., yeux, m., eye;
  • coup d'——, glance;
  • avoir l'—— à, to look after, keep an eye on.
• œuf, m., egg (f pron. in sing., not in pl.).
• offenser, to offend.
• offert, -e, p.p. of offrir.
• officiel, -le, formal.
• officier, m., officer.
• offrir, irr., to offer.
• oiseau, -x, m., bird.
• ombrageu-x, -se, fiery, suspicious, restive.
• on, one, someone, we, you, they.
• oncle, m., uncle;
  • —— à la mode de Bretagne, first cousin of one's father or mother.
• onze, eleven (treated as if preceded by aspirated h).
• Opéra, m., The French Opera dates from the middle of the seventeenth century; from the first it has been a resort for fashionable society. The present handsome edifice where the representations are given was built in 1861-65.
• or, m., gold.
• orage, m., storm.
• ordinaire, customary, usual.
• ordre, m., order.
• oreille, f., ear.
• oreiller, m., pillow.
• Oreste, Orestes, son of Agamemnon and friend of Pylades.
• organe, m., organ, voice.
• organiser, to organize, form.
• orgueil, m., haughtiness, pride.
• orgueilleu-x, -se, haughty, proud.
• original, -e, original;
  • un franc ——, an unconventional creature.
• originel, -le, original, primitive.
• ornière, f., rut, track.
• oser, to dare.
• ou, or.
• où, where, in which, to which.
• oubli, m., forgetfulness.
• oublier, to forget.
• ouï, -e, heard.
• oui, yes.
• oui-dà, well then.
• outre, besides.
• outré, -e, upset, outraged, aggrieved, scandalized.
• ouvert, -e, p.p. of ouvrir.
• ouverture, f., opening, proposition.
• ouvrage, m., piece of work, work.
• ouvrier, m., workman.
• ouvrir, irr., to open, open the door;
  • s'en ——, to disclose one's real self.
• P
• paille, f., straw.
• paillé, -e, straw-colored.
• paillette, f., spangle.
• pain, m., bread, loaf, lump.
• paire, f., pair.
• paisiblement, tranquilly.
• paix, f., peace.
• palefrenier, m., groom.
• paléographe, m. or f., expert manuscript reader.
• pâlir, to grow pale.
• paperasse, f., scrawl, waste-paper.
• papier, m., paper, document.
• papillon, m., butterfly.
• par, by, by means of, per;
  • —— ici, this way.
• paradis, m., paradise.
• paraître, irr., to appear, seem.
• paralyser, to paralyze.
• parce que, because.
• parchemin, m., parchment, document.
• parcourir, irr., to traverse, pass over.
• par-dessus, over, into the bargain.
• pardonner, to forgive, excuse.
• pareil, -le, like, such a.
• parent, m., -e, f., parent, relative.
• parenté, f., relationship, family connection.
• paresseu-x, -se, idle, lazy.
• parfait, -e, perfect.
• parfaitement, perfectly.
• parier, to wager.
• Pâris, Paris of Troy.
• parisien, -ne, Parisian.
• parler, to speak, talk.
• parole, f., word.
• part, f., part, share;
  • de —— et autre, on each side;
  • tenir de bonne ——, to have it on good authority.
• partager, to share.
• partenaire, m. or f., partner.
• parti, m., party, match, part.
• particuli-er, -ère, especial, private.
• partie, f., part, opponent, game, match;
  • —— gagnée, victory;
  • prendre à ——, to make charges against.
• partir, irr., to start, leave, depart.
• partout, everywhere, on all sides.
• paru, p.p. of paraître.
• parvenir, irr., to succeed.
• pas, m., step, pace;
  • à petits ——, slowly;
  • au ——, at a walk.
• pas, not;
  • ne ... pas, not.
• passablement, tolerably.
• passant, m., passer-by.
• passé, m., past; prep., after.
• passer, to pass;
  • —— chez, to stop at;
  • se —— de, to do without.
• passiflore, f., passion-flower.
• passion, f., deep love.
• passionnément, passionately, exceedingly.
• Passy, a section in the western part of Paris, near the Bois de Boulogne.
• paternellement, in a fatherly manner.
• pâtisserie, f., pastry.
• pâtissier, m., pastry dealer.
• patois, m., local dialect.
• paupière, f., eyelid.
• pauvre, poor.
• pavé, m., pavement.
• pavoiser, to cover, deck.
• payer, to pay, pay for.
• pays, m., country, land, place.
• paysage, m., landscape.
• paysan, m., peasant.
• payse, f., fellow-countrywoman.
• pêche, f., peach.
• péché, m., sin.
• peignoir, m., wrapper.
• peindre, irr., to paint, picture.
• peine, f., pain, trouble, penalty;
  • faire de la —— à, to trouble.
• peiner, to pain, work hard.
• peint, -e, p.p. of peindre.
• peinture, f., painting.
• pelouse, f., strip of greensward.
• penchant, m., hobby, liking.
• pendant, prep., during;
  • —— que, conj., while.
• pendule, f., clock.
• pénétrer, to penetrate.
• penser, to think, believe;
  • —— à, to think about;
  • —— de, to think of.
• pensi-f, -ve, pensive.
• pension, f., boarding-school.
• pensionnaire, m. or f., boarding-school pupil.
• perdre, to lose, destroy, ruin, spoil, corrupt, waste.
• perdreau, -x, m., young partridge.
• père, m., father;
  • de —— en fils, from father to son.
• péremptoire, peremptory.
• permettre, irr., to allow, permit.
• perpétuel, -le, perpetual, everlasting.
• perroquet, m., parrot.
• persévérer, to persevere.
• personnage, m., person of importance.
• personne, f., person, individual; m., some one;
  • ne ... ——, nobody, no one.
• personnel, -le, personal.
• persuader, to persuade.
• perte, f., loss.
• pesanteur, f., heaviness.
• peser, to weigh.
• pester, to storm, rage.
• petit, -e, little, small.
• petite-fille, -s -s, f., grand-daughter.
• petit-enfant, -s -s, m., grand-child.
• petit-fils, ——s- ——s, m., grand-son.
• peu, adv., little;
  • —— à ——, little by little; subst., a little;
  • un ——, somewhat.
• peuple, m., people;
  • le petit ——, the lower class.
• peupler, to people.
• peur, f., fear;
  • prendre —— de, to grow afraid of.
• peut, 3rd sing. pres. indic. of pouvoir.
• peut-être, perhaps.
• phrase, f., sentence.
• physionomie, f., physiognomy.
• pièce, f., piece, room, cask, hogshead.
• pied, m., foot;
  • prendre ——, take root, settle down;
  • sur quel —— danser avec, how to treat;
  • coup de ——, kick.
• pierre, f., stone.
• Pierre, Peter.
• piétiner, to patter, trot about.
• pile, f., tail (of a coin);
  • jouer à —— ou face, to toss up for.
• pinson, m., finch.
• piquant, -e, racy, sharp.
• piquer, to prick, whet, stimulate, sting.
• pire, worse;
  • le ——, the worst.
• pirouette, f., pirouette, quick turn.
• place, f., place, position.
• placer, to place.
• plaignit, 3rd sing. past definite of plaindre.
• plaindre, irr., to pity, lament, grieve over;
  • se ——, to complain;
  • se —— de, to complain of, find fault with.
• plaire, irr., to please;
  • plaît-il, what, what is it, what do you say, beg pardon!;
  • se —— à, to like to.
• plaisamment, amusingly.
• plaisanter, to joke, jest.
• plaisanterie, f., joke, jest.
• plaisir, m., pleasure.
• plan, m., plan, ground-plan.
• planche, f., plate.
• plaque, f., plaque, slab.
• plat, m., dish (of food).
• plat, -e, flat.
• plate-bande, f., flower-bed.
• Platon, Plato, 429-347 B.C. The famous Greek philosopher, the disciple of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle.
• plâtre, m., plaster.
• plein, -e, full;
  • dans le —— de sa beauté, at the height of her beauty.
• pleurer, to weep, weep for.
• pleuvoir, irr., to rain.
• pli, m., fold, wrinkle;
  • le —— était pris, the habit was formed.
• plonger, to plunge, cast.
• plu, p.p. of plaire.
• plume, f., plume, feather.
• plus, more, plus, again, in addition to that;
  • de ——, moreover;
  • ne ... ——, no more;
  • rien de ——, nothing more;
  • —— que (before numerals de), more than.
• plusieurs, several, many.
• plut, 3rd sing. past definite of plaire.
• plutôt, rather.
• poche, f., pocket.
• poésie, f., poetry, song.
• poids, m., weight.
• poignée, f., handful.
• poignet, m., wrist.
• poing, m., fist.
• point: ne ... ——, not at all.
• poisson, m., fish.
• politesse, f., politeness.
• politique, f., system of politics; adj., politic, political.
• pomme de terre, f., potato.
• porte, f., door, street door;
  • —— cochère, carriage entrance.
• portée, f., carrying distance, reach, range.
• portefeuille, m., portfolio.
• porter, to bear, wear, carry, draw on;
  • tout porté, on the spot.
• portière, f., curtain, carriage-door.
• posément, composedly.
• poser, to place.
• positivement, positively.
• posséder, to own, possess.
• poste, f., post, mail (post-office, mail-box);
  • —— restante, general delivery;
  • chaise de ——, post-chaise;
  • en ——, in post haste.
• potage, m., soup.
• potelé, -e, plump.
• poudrer, to powder.
• poudreu-x, -se, dusty.
• poulailler, m., poultry-yard, hen-house.
• poule, f., hen.
• poulet, m., chicken.
• poupée, f., doll.
• pour, for, in order to, as a.
• pourparler, m., parley;
  • être en ——s, to haggle, negociate.
• pourpre, purple.
• pour que, in order that.
• pourquoi, why, for what reason.
• poursuite, f., pursuit.
• poursuivre, irr., to follow after, pursue, seek, continue.
• pourtant, nevertheless.
• pourvoir, irr., to look after, see to.
• pourvu que, provided that.
• pousser, to push, drive, utter.
• poussière, f., dust.
• pratiquer, practice, put into practice, carry out.
• pouvoir, irr., to be able, can;
  • il se peut, it is possible.
• pouvoir, m., power.
• précéder, to precede.
• précepteur, m., tutor.
• prêcher, to preach.
• précieu-x, -se, precious.
• précipité, -e, hasty.
• précoce, precocious, forward.
• prédicateur, m., preacher.
• prédire, irr., to predict.
• préférer, to prefer, esteem better.
• préjugé, m., prejudice.
• préméditer, to premeditate.
• premi-er, -ère, first.
• premièrement, in the first place.
• prendre, irr., to grasp, seize, take, receive, catch;
  • —— à partie, to make charges against;
  • —— de l'âge, to age;
  • —— en grippe, or haine, to take a dislike to;
  • —— goût à, to get a taste for, learn to enjoy;
  • —— peur de, to grow afraid of;
  • —— pied, to take root, settle down;
  • —— sa course, to start off;
  • faire ——, to send for;
  • se —— de, to take on; develop;
  • s'y ——, to go at it;
  • taille bien prise, well-proportioned figure.
• préoccupation, f., thought.
• préoccuper, to preoccupy; p.p., disturbed, troubled.
• préparer, to prepare, make ready.
• près, adv., near;
  • —— de, prep., near.
• présent, m., present, gift.
• présentation, f., introduction.
• présenter, to present, introduce.
• présider, to preside over.
• presque, almost.
• presser, to hurry.
• pression, f., pressure.
• prétendre, to pretend, intend, make pretence to; p.p., false.
• prêter, to lend.
• preuve, f., proof.
• prévaloir, irr., to make count, prevail.
• prévenance, f., forethought.
• prévenir, irr., to prevent, forewarn; pres. part., observing; careful.
• prévoir, irr., to foresee.
• prier, to pray, beg;
  • se faire ——, to have to be urged.
• prière, f., prayer.
• principe, m., principle.
• pris, -e, p.p. of prendre.
• prise, f., capture, effect.
• prix, m., price, prize.
• procédé, m., method of procedure.
• procès, m., lawsuit.
• prochain, m., -e, f., neighbor; adj. near by, next, approaching.
• proche, near, close.
• procurer, to procure.
• prodigieusement, immensely, mightily.
• produire, irr., to produce;
  • se ——, to come to pass, happen.
• profiter, to profit, make the most of.
• profond, -e, deep, profound.
• profondément, profoundly.
• profondeur, f., depth.
• projat, m., plan.
• prolonger, to prolong, extend.
• promener, to conduct, cause to walk;
  • se ——, to walk.
• promettre, irr., to promise, give promise, be promising.
• propos, m., proposal;
  • à ——, by the way;
  • à quel ——, for what reason or purpose;
  • à ce ——, with regard to this;
  • à tout ——, ever and anon.
• proposer, to propose, suggest.
• propriétaire, m. and f., owner.
• propriété, f., property, ownership, possession.
• prosaïque, prosaic.
• prospérer, to prosper.
• protéger, to protect.
• prouver, to prove.
• province, f., country.
• publ -ic, -ique, public, general.
• pudeur, f., modesty.
• puis, then, after that.
• puis or peux, 1st sing. pres. indic. of pouvoir.
• puisque, since, because.
• puissance, f., power;
  • en —— de, in the power of.
• puissant, -e, powerful, mighty.
• puits, m., well, shaft.
• punir, to punish.
• pur, -e, pure, mere, clean.
• put, 3rd sing. past definite of pouvoir.
• Pygmalion. King of Cyprus and also sculptor. He made an ivory statue with which he fell in love and which, at his prayer, Aphrodite endowed with life.
• Pylade, Pylades, the friend of Orestes and husband of Electra.
• Q
• quand, when.
• quant à, as for, as to.
• quarante, forty.
• quarante-deux, forty-two.
• quarantième, fortieth.
• quart, m., quarter, fourth.
• quartier, m., quarter, district.
• quatre, four.
• quatre-vingts, eighty.
• quatrième, fourth.
• que, pronoun, whom, which, that;
  • ce ——, that which, what; conj. that; adv., than, as, how;
  • ne ... ——, only; excl., how.
• quel, m., quelle, f., which, what.
• quelconque, whatever, any.
• quelque, some, a few, a little, any, whatever.
• quelqu'un, -e, plur., quelques -uns, -unes, some one, somebody, some.
• quérir, to seek.
• qu'est-ce que, which, what (object);
  • qu'est-ce qui, which, what (subject).
• quête, f., quest, collection.
• queue, f., tail.
• qui, who, which, whom;
  • qui est-ce qui, who;
  • qui est-ce que, whom.
• quinzaine, f., fortnight.
• quinze, fifteen;
  • —— jours, a fortnight.
• quittance, f., receipt.
• quitter, to leave, quit.
• quoi, what;
  • comme ——, as how (colloiq.);
  • c'est de ——, it is enough to make one;
  • il n'y a pas de ——, there is no reason for or for that.
• quoi que, whatever.
• quoique, although.
• quotidien, -ne, daily.
• R
• raccommoder, to repair, put in order.
• race, f., race, breed, stock.
• racine, f., root.
• raconter, to relate, recount, tell.
• radieu -x, -se, radiant, resplendent, beaming.
• raffermir, to strengthen.
• raffineur, m., refiner.
• ragaillardir, to cheer up.
• rage, f., craze.
• raide, stiff, hard, unyielding.
• raideur, f., stiffness, stateliness.
• raidir, to stiffen.
• rail, m., rail (l pron. or liquid).
• railler, to rail, mock at.
• raison, f., reason;
  • avoir ——, to be right;
  • avec juste ——, rightly enough.
• raisonnable, moderate, reasonable.
• raisonnement, m., reasoning, argument.
• rajeunir, to grow young.
• rallier, to rally, call together.
• ramener, to take back, escort.
• ramoneur, m., chimney-sweep.
• rancune, f., hatred.
• ranger, to range, draw up.
• rapide, rapid, quick.
• rappeler, to recall.
• rapporter, to produce, yield, bring in.
• rapprocher, to bring near.
• rarement, rarely.
• rareté, f., rarity, infrequency.
• raser, to shave.
• rassurer, to reassure.
• rationnel, -le, rational.
• rattraper, to catch, overtake.
• rayonner, to radiate.
• récalcitrant, -e, refractory, obstinate.
• recevoir, irr., to receive, admit.
• recherche, f., research.
• récit, m., story.
• réclamer, to call for, demand.
• reçoit, 3rd sing. pres. indic. of recevoir.
• récompenser, to pay back, reward.
• réconcilier, to reconcile;
  • se ——, to become reconciled.
• reconnaître, irr., to recognize.
• recrudescence, f., renewal.
• reçu, -e, p.p. of recevoir.
• reculer, to recoil; p.p., far back.
• récusable, answerable, questionable.
• rédiger, to draw up.
• redoubler, to redouble.
• redoublement, m., redoubling.
• redouter, to dread.
• réduire, irr., to reduce.
• refaire, irr., to make over, do again.
• réfléchir, to reflect.
• refouler, to drive back, trample.
• refus, m., refusal.
• refuser, to refuse.
• réfuter, to refute, answer.
• regagner, to regain.
• regard, m., look, regard.
• regarder, to look at, observe.
• régisseur, m., manager.
• régler, to regulate, govern.
• regretter, to regret, be sorry for, miss.
• régulièrement, regularly.
• rehausser, to enhance, enrich, set off.
• reine, f., queen.
• reins, m. pl., loins.
• rejeter, to reject, throw back;
  • se ——, to fall back.
• rejoindre, irr., to rejoin.
• réjouir, and se ——, to rejoice.
• relais, m., relay.
• relation, f., relation, connection.
• reléguer, to relegate.
• relever, to raise up, restore, relieve;
  • se ——, to rise, recover.
• relire, to re-read.
• remarier, to remarry;
  • se ——, to marry again.
• remarquer, to observe, notice.
• rembourser, to pay back.
• remède, m., remedy.
• remercier, to thank.
• remettre, irr., to replace, remit, give;
  • —— à neuf, do over, renovate;
  • s'en —— à, to trust to.
• remise, f., carriage-house.
• remonter, to go up again.
• remords, m., remorse.
• remorque, f., tow;
  • à la ——, in tow.
• remplacer, to replace.
• remplir, to fulfill.
• Renaissance, f. The Renaissance or Renascence in France and Germany was that period of the sixteenth century so remarkable for the awakening of interest in classical subjects and for the revival of arts and learning.
• rencontre, f., meeting, coincidence.
• rencontrer, to meet.
• rendez-vous, m., appointed meeting, meeting place;
  • donner —— à, to make an appointment with.
• rendre, to return, pay back;
  • se ——, surrender, yield, go to.
• renfermer, to include, enclose, contain.
• rengorger (se), to draw oneself up.
• renoncer, to renounce.
• renouer, to reknot, begin again.
• rente, f., income, revenue;
  • —— viagère, life-annuity.
• rentrer, to return, go home, turn back, go in, force back.
• renvoyer, irr., to send back.
• repaître, irr., to feed;
  • se ——, to feast.
• répandre, spread abroad; p.p., well-known.
• reparaître, irr., reappear.
• réparer, to repair, make up for.
• repartir, to start back.
• répéter, to repeat.
• repeupler, to re-populate.
• réplique, f., answer.
• répondre, to respond, correspond, answer.
• réponse, f., answer.
• reporter, to carry back.
• repos, m., repose, comfort.
• reposer, to replace.
• repousser, to reject.
• reprendre, irr., to continue, take back, reassume, take again, catch.
• représenter, to represent.
• reprise, f., renewal, time;
  • à plusieurs ——s, several times over.
• reprocher, to reproach.
• répugnance, f., hatred, dislike.
• répugner, to dislike, be repugnant to.
• réquisition, f., demand.
• rescousse, f., rescue (old for recousse).
• réseau, m., network.
• réserver, to reserve, hold back.
• résister à, to withstand.
• résolument, resolutely.
• résoudre, irr., to resolve.
• respect, m., respect (the ct is silent).
• respecter, to respect.
• respectueu -x, -se, respectful, subservient.
• resplendir, to be resplendent, shine.
• ressembler, to resemble.
• ressort, m., spring, resort.
• ressource, f., resource.
• ressusciter, to bring to life, arouse.
• reste, m., rest, remnant;
  • au ——, du ——, as for the rest, moreover, besides.
• rester, to stay, remain.
• résultat, m., result.
• retard, m., delay.
• retardement, m., delay.
• retarder, to retard;
  • —— sur, fall behind.
• retenir, irr., to retain, keep back, hold up;
  • se ——, to restrain oneself.
• retourner, to return, turn, turn again;
  • se ——, to turn about.
• retraite, f., retreat, rest.
• retrancher, to draw up, intrench, retrench.
• rétrécir, to limit, narrow down.
• retrousser, to turn up, roll up.
• retrouver, find again;
  • se ——, to meet, to be met with.
• réussir, to succeed.
• revanche, f., revenge.
• rêve, m., dream.
• réveiller, and se ——, to wake up, awake.
• revenir, irr., to return, come back.
• revenu, m., income.
• rêver, to dream, think over.
• révérence, f., bow.
• rêveur, m., -se, f., dreamer; adj., dreamy.
• revoir, irr., to see again;
  • au ——, farewell.
• révolter, to revolt, upset, disturb.
• revue, f., review, magazine;
  • gens de ——, people who frequently meet.
• rez-de-chaussée, m., ground-floor.
• riant, -e, happy, smiling.
• riche, sumptuous, expensive, rich.
• rideau, -x, m., curtain.
• rider, to wrinkle.
• ridicule, m., ridicule, foolishness; adj., ridiculous, strange, curious.
• rien, m., nothing;
  • ne ... ——, nothing;
  • ne ... —— que, nothing but;
  • —— à ——, —— de ——, nothing about anything.
• rigoureu -x, -se, rigorous, severe.
• rigueur, f., rigor;
  • tenir ——, to be severe, refuse to yield.
• riposter, to respond.
• rire, m., laugh; sparkle.
• rire, irr., to laugh;
  • —— de, to laugh at.
• risque, m., risk.
• robe, f., dress.
• Robespierre, Maximilien, 1758-1794. The head of the Committee of Safety, the chief power during the Reign of Terror.
• rocaille, f., pebbles.
• roche, f., rock, stock.
• roi, m., king.
• roitelet, m., wren.
• rôle, m., rôle, part.
• romain, -e, Roman.
• roman, m., novel, romance.
• rompre, to break, wear out.
• rond, m., round, circle;
  • en ——, in a round.
• ronde, f., round;
  • à la ——, round about.
• rondel -et, -ette, round, roundish.
• rondeur, f., well-roundedness.
• rose, adj., pink, rose; subst., f., rose.
• rosée, f., dew.
• rosier, m., rose-bush.
• rotonde, f., back of a stage-coach.
• roturi -er, -ère, plebeian.
• roue, f., wheel.
• rouge, red.
• rouge-gorge, ——s- ——s, m., robin redbreast.
• rougir, to blush, redden.
• rouler, to roll;
  • se ——, to roll oneself.
• roulement, m., rolling.
• route, f., road, route;
  • —— royale, high-road.
• rou -x, -sse, red, auburn, sandy.
• royal, -e, royal.
• rubicond, -e, round-faced, rosy.
• rudement, roughly.
• rue, f., street.
• ruiner, to ruin.
• ruisseau, -x, m., brook, gutter.
• russe, Russian.
• rustaud, -e, rustic, boorish.
• S
• sable, m., sand.
• sacrifier, to give up, sacrifice.
• sacristie, f., sacristy.
• sage, wise, sensible.
• saignée, f., bleeding.
• saigner, to bleed.
• saint, m., -e, f., saint; adj., holy.
• Saint-Benoît, St. Benedict; rue ——, a small street opening into the Boulevard Saint-Germain, near Saint-Germain des Prés.
• Saint-Dominique, St. Dominic;
  • rue ——, a fashionable street in the Quartier Saint-Germain, now in great part effaced by the boulevard Saint-Germain.
• Saint-Étienne, St. Stephen, capital of the department of the Loire.
• Saint-Louis, see Louis IX.
• Saint-Thomas d'Aquin, St. Thomas Aquinas. The church of this saint, situated at the heart of the faubourg Saint-Germain, is one of the most fashionable in Paris, and is particularly noted for the aristocratic marriages which take place there.
• saisir, to seize, arrest.
• saison, f., season.
• sait, 3rd sing. pres. indic. of savoir.
• saline, f., salt-pit.
• salir, to soil, dirty.
• salon, m., drawing-room, gallery.
• saluer, to salute, bow to.
• salut, m., bow; safety, salvation.
• salutaire, salutary.
• samovar, m., tea urn.
• sang, m., blood.
• sanglot, m., sob.
• sangsue, f., leech.
• sanguin, -e, sanguine, blood-red.
• sans, without.
• sans que, unless.
• santé, f., health.
• satiné, -e, glazed.
• satisfaire, irr., to satisfy.
• sauf, except.
• sauter, to jump, leap over;
  • —— au cou de, to throw one's arms about.
• sautiller, to hop.
• sauver, to save;
  • se ——, escape.
• savamment, skilfully.
• savant, m., scholar; adj., wise, learned.
• savoir, irr., to know, know how;
  • —— gré à, to wish well to, feel kindly towards;
  • faire —— à, to inform.
• savourer, to taste, enjoy.
• sceau, m., seal.
• schelling, m., shilling.
• sculpter, to carve (p silent).
• sculpteur, m., sculptor (p silent).
• se, himself, herself, itself, themselves, each other, oneself.
• séance, f., session;
  • —— tenante, forthwith; without adjournment.
• sec, sèche, dry;
  • à ——, dried up.
• sécher, to dry.
• second, -e, second (c pron. g).
• secouer, to shake, shake off.
• séduire, irr., to persuade, win, bear away.
• seigneur, m., lord, nobleman.
• sein, m., bosom, breast.
• seize, sixteen.
• séjour, m., sojourn.
• seller, to saddle.
• semaine, f., week.
• sembler, to seem, appear.
• semer, to sow.
• semestre, m., half-year.
• sens, m., sense;
  • sortir du bon ——, to get out of one's head.
• sensé, -e, wise, sensible.
• sensible, sensitive.
• sentencieusement, sententiously.
• sentier, m., path.
• sentir, irr., to feel, perceive.
• séparer, to separate, divide.
• sept, seven (p silent).
• septante, (old form for) seventy (p pron.).
• septembre, m., September (p pron.).
• série, f., series.
• sérieu-x, -se, serious.
• serre, f., conservatory, greenhouse;
  • venus en ——, ripened in a hothouse.
• serrement, m., clasping.
• serrer, to grasp, clench, squeeze, hold close, constrain.
• serrure, f., lock.
• service, m., service;
  • rendre ——, to do a kindness.
• servir, irr., to serve, be of use, yield;
  • se —— de, to make use of.
• serviteur, m., servant, serving-man.
• seuil, m., sill, threshold.
• seul, -e, only, single, alone, mere.
• seulement, only.
• si, conj., if, whether, supposing that; adv., so, such, yes;
  • —— fait, yes, indeed.
• siamois, -e, Siamese.
• siècle, m., century.
• siéger, to sit, have a seat.
• sien, m., sienne, f., his, hers.
• sieste, f., siesta, midday nap.
• sieur, m., sir, one.
• signer, to sign, make the sign of the cross;
  • se ——, to cross oneself.
• signifier, to indicate.
• simplement, simply.
• singuli-er, -ère, curious, singular.
• situer, to situate, poise.
• sixième, sixth.
• sœur, f., sister.
• soi, oneself, self, himself, herself, itself.
• soie, f., silk.
• soigneusement, carefully.
• soin, m., care, oversight.
• soir, m., evening.
• soirée, f., evening, evening reception.
• soit, 3rd sing. pres. subjunctive of être, so be it, all right.
• soit ... soit, either ... or;
  • —— que ... —— que, whether ... or.
• soixante, sixty.
• soixante-quinze, seventy-five.
• sol, m., ground.
• soldat, m., soldier.
• solde, f., pay;
  • riche de sa ——, with the wealth of his pay.
• soleil, m., sun, sunshine.
• solide, sound, solid, firm.
• sommairement, briefly.
• somme, f., sum, amount.
• sommeil, m., sleep;
  • avoir ——, to be sleepy.
• son, m., sa, f., ses, plur., his, her.
• songer, to think, dream.
• sonner, to ring, sound; p.p. see an.
• sort, m., fate, lot.
• sorte, f., sort, kind.
• sortir, irr., to go out, come forth;
  • —— de son bon sens, to be out of his head, be mad.
• sot, -te, stupid, foolish.
• sottise, f., foolishness, stupidity.
• sou, m., five centimes, one cent.
• souche, f., stock.
• souci, m., care.
• souffle, m., breeze, breath.
• soufflet, m., bellows.
• souffrance, f., trouble, pain.
• souffrant, -e, ill, indisposed.
• soufrer, to put sulphur on.
• souhait, m., wish, desire;
  • à ——, all that could be wished, at will.
• souhaiter, to wish, desire.
• soulever, to raise up, stir up.
• soulier, m., shoe, slipper.
• soumettre, irr., to submit.
• soumission, f., submission.
• soupçonner, to suspect (p pron.).
• soupe, f., soup.
• source, f., spring, source.
• sourcil, m., eyebrow.
• sourciller, to wink, raise the eyebrow.
• sourd, -e, deaf.
• sourire, m., smile.
• sourire, irr., to smile.
• sous, under, beneath, during.
• soutenir, irr., to uphold, maintain; p.p., continuous.
• souterrain, -e, subterranean.
• souvenir (se), irr., to remember, think of.
• souvenir, m., remembrance.
• souvent, often, frequently.
• souverain, m., sovereign.
• spirituel, -le, bright, witty.
• spontanément, of its own accord, spontaneously.
• Staël, Anne-Louise-Germaine Neckar, Mme. de Staël, 1766-1817. A famous French authoress through whose writings Frenchmen first learned to appreciate things outside of France.
• stimuler, to stimulate.
• store, m., window shade.
• stupéfait, -e, stupefied, astonished.
• su, -e, p.p. of savoir.
• suave, polite.
• subir, to undergo.
• subit, -e, sudden.
• subitement, suddenly, all at once.
• succès, m., success.
• succession, f., inheritance.
• successivement, in turn.
• sucre, m., sugar.
• suffire, irr., to suffice;
  • il suffit de, all that is needed is.
• suit, 3rd sing. pres. indic. of suivre.
• suite, f., following, consequence;
  • à la —— de, in consequence of;
  • tout de ——, immediately.
• suivant, -e, following; prep., according to.
• suivre, irr., to follow.
• sujet, m., subject.
• sujet, -te, subject.
• supérieur, -e, above, superior.
• supputer, to compute.
• suprême, supreme, final.
• sur, on, upon, with regard to, as to, about.
• sûr, -e, sure, certain.
• surcharger, to overload.
• surdité, f., deafness.
• surprendre, irr., to surprise;
  • se ——, to catch oneself.
• surtout, above all, especially.
• surveillance, f., oversight, watching.
• surveiller, to watch over.
• suscription, f., superscription, heading, title.
• suspendre, to suspend, hang;
  • voitures mieux suspendues, carriages with better springs.
• svelte, easy, graceful.
• T
• tâche, f., task.
• tache, f., stain, spot.
• tâcher, to try.
• tacher, to spot, soil.
• taffetas, m., taffeta silk.
• taie, f., pillow-case.
• taille, f., stature, figure.
• tailler, to cut.
• tailleur, m., tailor.
• taire, irr., to keep silent;
  • se ——, to be silent.
• tandis que, while.
• tant, so much;
  • —— que, as much as, as long as;
  • —— que ... ne, until.
• tante, f., aunt.
• tantôt, soon, in a few moments;
  • tantôt ... tantôt, now ... then.
• tapage, m., uproar.
• tapis, m., carpet.
• tapisserie, f., tapestry.
• tapissier, m., upholsterer.
• tard, late.
• tarder, to delay, tarry;
  • il me tarde, it seems a long time to me.
• tarir, to dry up, cease to flow.
• tasse, f., cup.
• teint, m., complexion.
• tel, -le, such;
  • un ——, such a.
• tellement, so much.
• témoigner, to witness, manifest.
• tempête, f., tempest.
• temps, m., time, weather;
  • le bon ——, the good old times;
  • à ——, in time;
  • ces —— derniers, of late.
• tendre, gentle, tender.
• tendrement, tenderly, gently.
• tendresse, f., tenderness.
• tendu, -e, hung, draped, garnished.
• tenir, irr., to have, hold;
  • —— à, to think of, care for, depend upon;
  • —— de, to belong to, be a part of;
  • —— de bonne part, to have on good authority.
• tente, f., tent.
• tenter, to tempt, attempt, try.
• tenture, f., hangings (which take the place of wall-paper).
• tenu, -e, p.p. of tenir.
• terminer, to end.
• terrain, m., ground, duelling-ground.
• terre, f., earth, estate;
  • tremblement de ——, earthquake.
• terrestre, earthly.
• terreur, f., fear.
• Terreur, f., Reign of Terror. The period from March, 1793, to July, 1794, during which many suspected of being hostile to the revolutionary government were executed. No titles were recognized at this period.
• terrier, m., burrow, grave.
• tête, f., head;
  • en —— à ——-, alone;
  • faire —— à, to head off, withstand, sustain;
  • donner ——, to turn, go, give way;
  • faire à sa ——, to do as one pleases.
• thé, m., tea.
• Théâtre-Français, m. This playhouse, situated in the Palais Royal, is the home of the Comédie française, the most famous theatrical company in the world, founded by Molière's troupe in 1680.
• tien, m., tienne, f., thine, yours.
• tiens, 2nd sing. imperative of tenir, here, hold on!
• tige, f., stem.
• tilleul, m., linden tree.
• timbre, m., tone, quality; post-mark.
• timidement, timidly.
• tint, 3rd sing. past definite of tenir.
• tirer, to pull, draw forth; se ——, to extricate oneself.
• tiroir, m., drawer.
• titre, m., title, heading.
• toi, thee, thou.
• toilette, f., toilette, dress.
• toit, m., roof.
• Tokay, m., Tokay, cf. vin.
• tomber, to fall;
  • —— mal, to come at a bad time.
• ton, m., ta, f., tes, plur., thy, your.
• ton, m., tone, air.
• tonne, f., ton.
• tonnelle, f., arbor.
• tordre, to wring, twist.
• torpeur, f., torpor, stupor.
• tort, m., wrong, misdeed;
  • avoir ——, to be wrong;
  • à ——, wrongly.
• tortil, m., baron's wreath.
• tôt, soon;
  • au plus ——, as soon as possible.
• toucher, to touch.
• touffu, -e, tufted, bushy, leafy.
• toujours, always, ever.
• tour, m., turn;
  • faire un ——, take a turn, walk, stroll.
• tour, f., tower.
• tourbillon, m., whirl, turn.
• tourmenter, to bother, trouble.
• tournée, f., round;
  • en —— de visites, on a round of calls.
• tourner, to turn.
• tournoi, m., tourney, tournament.
• tournoyer, to spin around.
• tournure, f., form, turn, wording.
• tout, -e, pl., tous, toutes, all, every, whole;
  • —— à coup, all at once;
  • —— à fait, altogether, wholly;
  • —— à l'heure, presently;
  • —— beau, excl., easy, softly;
  • —— de bon, wholly;
  • —— d'un coup, all at once;
  • du ——, at all, not at all;
  • tous (les) deux, both;
  • —— en, while.
• toutefois, just the same, notwithstanding.
• tous, pronoun, all (s pron.).
• tracer, to trace.
• trahison, f., betrayal, treason.
• traînard, -e, drawling.
• traîner, to draw, drag.
• trait, m., stroke, feature, trace (of harness).
• traiter, to treat;
  • se ——, to be treated.
• tranquille, quiet, peaceful (ll not liquid).
• transformer, to transform.
• transporter, to transport.
• trava-il, -aux, m., work, labor.
• travailler, to work; p.p. overcome.
• travers, m., excentricity, fault, drawback;
  • à —— de, across.
• traverse, f., crossroad.
• tremblement, m., trembling;
  • —— de terre, earthquake.
• trembler, to tremble.
• tremper, to moisten, wet.
• trente, thirty.
• trente-trois, thirty-three.
• très, very, exceedingly.
• trésor, m., treasure.
• tressaillir, irr., to tremble.
• tribun-al, -aux, m., court.
• triomphalement, in triumphal fashion.
• triomphe, m., triumph.
• triste, sad, barren, dreary.
• trois, three.
• troisième, third.
• tromper, to deceive, cheat;
  • se ——, to be mistaken.
• tromperie, f., deceit.
• trop, too much, too well.
• trot, m., trot, gait.
• trou, m., hole.
• trouble, m., trouble, confusion, agitation.
• troubler, to disturb, agitate.
• trouer, to make holes in, pierce.
• troupeau, -x, m., flock.
• trouver, to find;
  • comment trouvez-vous cela, what do you think of that;
  • se ——, to be;
  • se —— bien, to be well off.
• tuer, to kill.
• Tuileries, f. pl. The palace was begun under Catharine de Medicis in 1564 and later was connected with the Louvre by galleries. It was destroyed by the Commune in 1871, except for the two pavilions at the ends. The gardens extend along the right bank of the Seine from the palace to the Place de la Concorde.
• tumultueu-x, -se, overpowering.
• tunique, f., tunic.
• tut, 3rd sing. past definite of taire.
• tutoyer, to thee-and-thou a person.
• tyrannie, f., tyranny, domination.
• U
• Ulysse, Ulysses or Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and one of the most celebrated heroes of the Trojan War.
• un, -e, a, an; one.
• uniformément, alike, uniformly.
• unique, only.
• uniquement, only.
• unir, to unite.
• user, to use up, wear out.
• usine, f., shop, factory.
• usurier, m., money-lender.
• usurper, to usurp.
• Utrecht, a city in Holland, famous for its velvet.
• V
• vacance, f., vacancy.
• vachère, f., cowherd.
• vaincre, irr., to conquer.
• vainement, in vain.
• vainquit, 3rd sing. past definite of vaincre.
• vais, vas, va, sing. pres. indic. of aller.
• valoir, irr., to be worth.
• valse, f., waltz.
• vapeur, f., steam.
• vass-al, -aux, m., vassal, tenant.
• vaut, 3rd sing. pres. indic. of valoir.
• vécu, -e, p.p. of vivre.
• veille, f., eve, evening before.
• veiller, to stay awake, watch.
• velours, m., velvet.
• vendange, f., vintage.
• vendangeur, m., -se, f., grape-gatherer.
• vendre, to sell.
• venger, to avenge.
• venir, irr., to come, arrive;
  • —— de, to have just;
  • —— à, to happen to;
  • —— en serre, to ripen in a hothouse.
• vent, m., wind, scent, knowledge;
  • avoir —— de, to get wind of.
• vente, f., sale;
  • mettre en ——, to put on sale.
• venu, -e, p.p. of venir.
• Vénus, f., Venus (s pron.).
• verger, m., orchard.
• véridique, veracious.
• vérité, f., truth.
• Vermouth, m., vermouth (a mild, bitter liqueur).
• verre, m., glass.
• vers, towards.
• vers, m., verse.
• verser, to pour out.
• vert, -e, green, fresh, vigorous.
• vertu, f., virtue, worth, power, strength.
• verve, f., brightness, vivacity.
• veste, f., jacket, sack-coat;
  • —— de travail, working jacket.
• vestiaire, m., cloak-room.
• vêtement, m., vestment; pl., clothing.
• vêtir, irr., to clothe.
• veut, 3rd sing. pres. indic. of vouloir.
• veuvage, m., widowhood, widower state.
• veuve, f., widow.
• viag-er, -ère, for life;
  • rente ——, life-annuity.
• vicomte, m., viscount.
• victoire, f., victory.
• victorieu-x, -se, victorious.
• vide, empty.
• vider, to empty.
• vie, f., life;
  • de ma ——, in my lifetime, as long as I live.
• vieillard, m., old man.
• vieillesse, f., old age.
• vieillir, to grow old.
• vierge, f., virgin.
• vieux, vieil, pl., vieux, m., vieille, -s, f., old.
• vi-f, -ve, bright, lively, quick.
• vigne, f., vineyard.
• vigneron, m., vine-dresser, picker.
• vigne-vierge, f., virgin's bower.
• vigoureusement, energetically.
• vigoureu-x, -se, strong, vigorous.
• village, m., village (ll not liquid).
• villageois, m., villager (ll not liquid.)
• ville, f., city, town (ll not liquid).
• vin, m., wine;
  • —— de Tokay, Tokay (a heavy, sweet wine);
  • petit ——, light wine.
• vingt, twenty (gt silent).
• vingt-cinq, twenty-five (g silent, t pron.).
• vingt-huit, twenty-eight (t pron.).
• vingt-quatre, twenty-four (t pron.).
• vint, 3rd sing. past definite of venir.
• violon, m., violin.
• viser à, to aim at, seek after.
• visite, f., call;
  • —— de digestion, dinner (or party) call.
• visiteur, m., caller.
• vitesse, f., speed, rapidity.
• vite, quick, fast.
• vivacité, f., activity, energy.
• vivant, m.;
  • bon ——, high liver.
• vivement, quickly.
• viveur, m., high-liver, sport.
• vivre, irr., to live.
• voici, here, here is;
  • que ——, here, which you see here.
• voilà, there is or are, that is, there you are;
  • —— tout, that is all.
• voiler, to veil.
• voir, irr., to see, look at, observe.
• voire, even.
• voisin, m., -e, f., neighbor; adj., near by.
• voisinage, m., neighborhood.
• voisiner, to be neighborly, visit.
• voiture, f., carriage;
  • —— de Nancy, public stage for Nancy.
• voix, f., voice, vote;
  • à haute ——, aloud.
• volée, f., flight.
• voler, to rob, steal, fly.
• volonté, f., will;
  • bonne ——, good will, kindliness.
• volontiers, gladly, willingly.
• volubilis, m., convolvulus, woodbine.
• votre, pl. vos, your.
• vôtre, yours.
• vouloir, m., wish, will.
• vouloir, irr., to wish, desire, want, seek;
  • —— de, to wish for, wish to have;
  • en —— à, to bear a grudge against, be angry at;
  • —— dire, to mean, signify.
• vous, you, to you.
• voyager, to travel.
• voyageur, m., traveler.
• voyons, excl. 1st. pl. pres. imperat. of voir, come now, let's see.
• vrai, -e, true.
• vu, -e, p.p. of voir.
• vulgaire, ordinary, common.
• W
• whist, m., whist (pron. weest).
• Y
• y, pronoun, to it, to them; adv., there;
  • il —— a, there is or are; ago.
• Z
• zèle, m., zeal.