Etymology tree
Proto-Germanic *frankô
Proto-West Germanic *Frankō
Proto-Indo-European *-iskos
Proto-Germanic *-iskaz
Proto-West Germanic *-isk
Proto-West Germanic *Frankisk
Old English Frencisċder.
Middle English Frensch
English French
Inherited from Middle English Frenche, Frensch, Frensc, Frenshe, Frenk, Franche, from Old English Frenċisċ (“Frankish, French”), from Proto-West Germanic *Frankisk (“Frankish”), equivalent to Frank + -ish (compare Frankish). Cognate with Middle Low German vranksch, frenkisch, vrenkesch, vrenksch (“Frankish, French”), Middle High German vrenkisch, vrensch ("Frankish, Franconian; > German fränkisch (“Frankish, Franconian”)), Danish fransk (“French”), Swedish fransk, fransysk (“French”), Icelandic franska (“French”).
Doublet of Frankish; piecewise doublet of Francis, Franz, and Francisco, which are derived from Late Latin Franciscus
In reference to vulgar language, from expressions such as pardon my French in the early 19th century, originally in reference to actual (but often mildly impolite) French expressions by the upper class, subsequently adopted ironically by the lower class for English curse words under the charitable conceit that the listener would not be familiar with them.
In reference to vermouth, a shortened form of French vermouth, distinguished as usually being drier than Italian vermouth.
Meanings
Of or relating to France.
The religious interpretation of socialism and the conception of a new epoch as the fulfilment of the true content of Christianity were, in fact, current coin in the French socialism of the 1830s and 1840s. 1978 [1976], Leszek Kołakowski, translated by P[aul] S[teven] Falla, Main Currents of Marxism, volume I: The Founders, Oxford: Clarendon Press, translation of Główne nurty marksizmu: powstanie (in Polish), →ISBN, →OCLC, page 87:
the French border with Italy
That must have hurt, especially because you knew the French children weren’t even trying. “Uh, go on, play weez your seellee nambeurs. Zey tell you nosseeng of ze true naytcheur of ze soula. I’ll weepa for you.” 2015 May 3, “Standardized Testing”, in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, season 2, episode 12, John Oliver (actor), via HBO:
Of or relating to the people or culture of France.
French customs
Of or relating to the French language.
French verbs
(slang) Of or related to oral sex, especially fellatio.
She was a tall redhead, with a shape that would make you jump for joy and a reputation as the best French girl in the place. 1946, Milton “Mezz” Mezzrow, Bernard Wolfe, “Not too Far Tangent”, in Really the Blues, New York, N.Y.: Random House, book 1 (1899–1923: A Nothin’ but a Child), page 23:
French girl
French active
(euphemistic, informal, often) Used to form names or references to venereal diseases.
French crown
French pox
French disease
Used to form names or references to an unconventional or fancy style.
gd Frangach (of or relating to France) · fo franskur (of or relating to France) · lt prancūzų (of or relating to the French language) · haw Palani (of or relating to the French people) · cy Ffrancaidd (of or relating to the French people) · uz fransuz (of or relating to France) · wls fakafalani (of or relating to the French language) · fy Frânsk (of or relating to France) · ky французча (of or relating to the French language) · lt prancūziškas (of or relating to the French people) · ar فرنساوي (of or relating to the French language) · lo ຝະຣັ່ງ (of or relating to France) · sv franskspråkig (of or relating to the French language) · lt prancūzų (of or relating to France) · ar فَرَنْسَاوِيّ (of or relating to the French language) · lt prancūzų (of or relating to the French people) · ur فرانسیسی (of or relating to the French people) · ar فرنسي (of or relating to France) · pt francês (of or relating to the French people) · tr Fransızca (of or relating to the French language) · el γαλλικός (of or relating to the French people) · zh 法語的 /法语的 (of or relating to the French language) · ms bahasa Perancis (of or relating to the French language) · mwl francés (of or relating to the French people) · he צרפתי (of or relating to the French people) · eo franca (of or relating to the French people) · eo franclingva (of or relating to the French language) · eu frantziar (of or relating to France) · ja フランス人の (of or relating to the French people) · te ఫ్రెంచి (of or relating to France) · fy Frânsk (of or relating to the French language) · cs francouzský (of or relating to the French language) · nn fransk (of or relating to the French people) · sv fransk (of or relating to the French people) · udm французской (of or relating to France) · pl francuski (of or relating to the French language) · de französisch (of or relating to the French language) · ta பிரான்ஸ் (of or relating to France) · pt francês (of or relating to France) · ro francez (of or relating to the French language) · ia francese (of or relating to the French people) · zh 法國人的 /法国人的 (of or relating to the French people) · pl francuski (of or relating to France) · mwl francés (of or relating to the French language) · ia francese (of or relating to the French language) · et prantsuse (of or relating to France) · hu francia (of or relating to the French people) · he צרפתי (of or relating to the French language) · ta பிரான்ஸ் (of or relating to the French people) · ca francès (of or relating to the French language) · sl francóski (of or relating to the French language) · la francogallicus (of or relating to France) · af Frans (of or relating to the French language) · km បារាំង (of or relating to France) · nb fransk (of or relating to France) · ps فرانسوي (of or relating to France) · ar فرنساوي (of or relating to the French people) · cy Ffrangeg (of or relating to the French language) · ur فرانسیسی (of or relating to the French language) · cy Ffrengaidd (of or relating to the French people) · io Franciana (of or relating to France) · vi Pháp ngữ (of or relating to the French language) · kmr fransî (of or relating to France) · oc francés (of or relating to the French language) · fo franskur (of or relating to the French language) · sh фра̀нцӯскӣ (of or relating to the French people) · ta பிரஞ்சு (of or relating to France) · ast francés (of or relating to the French people) · is franskur (of or relating to the French people) · af Frans (of or relating to France) · ar فَرَنْسَاوِيّ (of or relating to the French people) · sv fransk (of or relating to the French language) · ast francés (of or relating to France) · eo franca (of or relating to the French language) · sl francóski (of or relating to the French people) · ta பிரஞ்சு (of or relating to the French language) · ru францу́зский (of or relating to the French language) · hi फ़्रांसीसी (of or relating to France) · es francés (of or relating to the French people) · az fransız (of or relating to France) · an francés (of or relating to France) · uk францу́зький (of or relating to the French people) · ky франсузча (of or relating to the French language) · yi פֿראַנצייזיש (of or relating to the French language) · vec fransexe (of or relating to the French people) · hu francia (of or relating to France) · fax francés (of or relating to the French language) · lt prancūziškas (of or relating to France) · tr Fransız (of or relating to the French people) · sk francúzsky (of or relating to France) · ko 프랑스의 (of or relating to France) · pa ਫ਼੍ਰਾਂਸੀਸੀ (of or relating to France) · el γαλλικός (of or relating to the French language) · tt француз (of or relating to France) · da fransk (of or relating to the French people) · uk францу́зький (of or relating to France) · cy Ffrengig (of or relating to the French people) · es francés (of or relating to France) · it francese (of or relating to the French language) · ko 프랑스 사람의 (of or relating to the French people) · yi פֿראַנצייזיש (of or relating to France) · ja フランス語の (of or relating to the French language) · hi फ़्रांसीसी (of or relating to the French people) · sh fràncūskī (of or relating to France) · an francés (of or relating to the French language) · ba француз (of or relating to France) · ext francés (of or relating to the French people) · fi ranskan (of or relating to the French language) · it francese (of or relating to France) · el γαλλικός (of or relating to France) · io Franciana (of or relating to the French people) · tg фаронсавӣ (of or relating to France) · oc francés (of or relating to the French people) · nl Frans (of or relating to the French language) · tl Pranses (of or relating to the French language) · ru францу́зский (of or relating to France) · cy Ffrengig (of or relating to France) · fi ranskan- (of or relating to France) · vo hi-Fransänanik (of or relating to the French people) · ta பிரெஞ்சு (of or relating to the French people) · te ఫ్రెంచ్ (of or relating to France) · hu francia (of or relating to the French language) · sms fransuška (of or relating to France) · vo Fransänapükik (of or relating to the French language) · th ฝรั่งเศส (of or relating to France) · cs francouzský (of or relating to France) · ext francés (of or relating to France) · be францу́зскі (of or relating to France) · mr फ्रेंच (of or relating to France) · eo franca (of or relating to France) · ar فَرَنْسِِِيّ (of or relating to France) · ru францу́зский (of or relating to the French people) · cy Ffrangaidd (of or relating to the French language) · ar فَرَنْسِيّ (of or relating to the French people) · rue францу́зькый (of or relating to France) · is franskur (of or relating to France) · fax francés (of or relating to the French people) · kmr frensizî (of or relating to the French people) · ca francès (of or relating to the French people) · da fransk (of or relating to the French language) · la francanus (of or relating to France) · az fransızdilli (of or relating to the French language) · fi Ranskan (of or relating to France) · fax francés (of or relating to France) · za Fazgoz (of or relating to France) · vi (tiếng) Pháp (of or relating to the French language) · ms Perancis (of or relating to the French people) · io Franciana (of or relating to the French language) · ast francés (of or relating to the French language) · ur فرانسیسی (of or relating to France) · af Frans (of or relating to the French people) · haw Palani (of or relating to France) · ar فرنساوي (of or relating to the French language) · vi Pháp (of or relating to France) · es francés (of or relating to the French language) · hy ֆրանսիական (of or relating to France) · tr Fransız (of or relating to France) · de französisch (of or relating to France) · sk francúzsky (of or relating to the French language) · aqc паранг (of or relating to France) · ta பிரெஞ்சு (of or relating to France) · fi ranskalainen (of or relating to France) · hi फ़्रांसीसी (of or relating to the French language) · ka ფრანგული (of or relating to France) · ka ფრანგული (of or relating to the French people) · cy Ffrengaidd (of or relating to the French language) · ang Frenċisċ (of or relating to the French language) · ro francez (of or relating to France) · is franskur (of or relating to the French language) · ia francese (of or relating to France) · ar فرنسي (of or relating to the French language) · vo ji-Fransänanik (of or relating to the French people) · yi פֿראַנצייזיש (of or relating to the French people) · fr français (of or relating to the French people) · ta பிரெஞ்சு (of or relating to the French language) · kk француз (of or relating to France) · mwl francés (of or relating to France) · ext francés (of or relating to the French language) · gd Frangach (of or relating to the French language) · ug فرانسۇز (of or relating to France) · gd Frangach (of or relating to the French people) · sl francóski (of or relating to France) · ar فَرَنْسَاوِيّ (of or relating to France) · izh frantsilain (of or relating to the French people) · bg френски (of or relating to the French people) · lo ຝະລັ່ງ (of or relating to France) · sh fràncūskī (of or relating to the French language) · nl Frans (of or relating to the French people) · oc francés (of or relating to France) · ky франсуз (of or relating to France) · fi ranskalainen (of or relating to the French people) · mr फ्रेंच (of or relating to the French people) · nb fransk (of or relating to the French language) · gl francés (of or relating to France) · tl Pranses (of or relating to France) · ko 프랑스어의 (of or relating to the French language) · cy Ffrangaidd (of or relating to the French people) · ms orang Perancis (of or relating to the French people) · my ပြင်သစ် (of or relating to France) · vo Fransänik (of or relating to France) · eu frantses (of or relating to France) · hy ֆրանսերեն (of or relating to the French language) · it francese (of or relating to the French people) · ang Frenċisċ (of or relating to France) · bg фре́нски (of or relating to France) · fa فرانسوی (of or relating to the French language) · bn ফরাসি (of or relating to France) · da fransk (of or relating to France) · sh фра̀нцӯскӣ (of or relating to France) · lv franču (of or relating to France) · vi (người) Pháp (of or relating to the French people) · mk француски (of or relating to France) · sv fransk (of or relating to France) · pt francês (of or relating to the French language) · sk francúzsky (of or relating to the French people) · fr français (of or relating to the French language) · cu франкїискъ (of or relating to France) · sh fràncūskī (of or relating to the French people) · ky француз (of or relating to France) · ar فرنساوي (of or relating to the French people) · nl Frans (of or relating to France) · fy Frânsk (of or relating to the French people) · he צָרְפָתִי (of or relating to France) · an francés (of or relating to the French people) · tk fransuz (of or relating to France) · nb fransk (of or relating to the French people) · gl francés (of or relating to the French people) · ar فَرَنْسِيّ (of or relating to the French language) · ja フランスの (of or relating to France) · vec fransexe (of or relating to France) · lv franču (of or relating to the French people) · zh 法國的 /法国的 (of or relating to France) · gl francés (of or relating to the French language) · fa فرانسوی (of or relating to France) · ca francès (of or relating to France) · ta பிரஞ்சு (of or relating to the French people) · pl francuski (of or relating to the French people) · mr फ्रेंच (of or relating to the French language) · sq francez (of or relating to France) · ja 仏 (of or relating to France) · ar فرنسي (of or relating to the French people) · be францу́скі (of or relating to France) · vec fransexe (of or relating to the French language) · cy Ffrancaidd (of or relating to the French language) · haw Palani (of or relating to the French language) · ro francez (of or relating to the French people) · ms Perancis (of or relating to France) · de französisch (of or relating to the French people) · ang Frenċisċ (of or relating to the French people) · lv franču (of or relating to the French language) · ko 프랑스인의 (of or relating to the French people) · ms Perancis (of or relating to the French language) · ka ფრანგული (of or relating to the French language) · fo franskur (of or relating to the French people) · vo Fransänanik (of or relating to the French people) · cs francouzský (of or relating to the French people) · mi Wīwī (of or relating to France) · fi ranskankielinen (of or relating to the French language) · ar فرنساوي (of or relating to France) · sh фра̀нцӯскӣ (of or relating to the French language) · mn франц (of or relating to France) · fr français (of or relating to France) · izh frantsilain (of or relating to France) · ar فرنساوي (of or relating to France) · hy ֆրանսիական (of or relating to the French people) · udm француз (of or relating to France) · fa فرانسوی (of or relating to the French people) · nn fransk (of or relating to France) · nn fransk (of or relating to the French language)
Etymology tree
Proto-Germanic *frankô
Proto-West Germanic *Frankō
Proto-Indo-European *-iskos
Proto-Germanic *-iskaz
Proto-West Germanic *-isk
Proto-West Germanic *Frankisk
Old English Frencisċder.
Middle English Frensch
English French
Inherited from Middle English Frenche, Frensch, Frensc, Frenshe, Frenk, Franche, from Old English Frenċisċ (“Frankish, French”), from Proto-West Germanic *Frankisk (“Frankish”), equivalent to Frank + -ish (compare Frankish). Cognate with Middle Low German vranksch, frenkisch, vrenkesch, vrenksch (“Frankish, French”), Middle High German vrenkisch, vrensch ("Frankish, Franconian; > German fränkisch (“Frankish, Franconian”)), Danish fransk (“French”), Swedish fransk, fransysk (“French”), Icelandic franska (“French”).
Doublet of Frankish; piecewise doublet of Francis, Franz, and Francisco, which are derived from Late Latin Franciscus
In reference to vulgar language, from expressions such as pardon my French in the early 19th century, originally in reference to actual (but often mildly impolite) French expressions by the upper class, subsequently adopted ironically by the lower class for English curse words under the charitable conceit that the listener would not be familiar with them.
In reference to vermouth, a shortened form of French vermouth, distinguished as usually being drier than Italian vermouth.
Meanings
(collective, countable, in-plural, uncountable) The people of France; groups of French people.
While the concept of remigration has long existed in academia, its hijacking by the far right on social media appears to have begun about a decade ago when French adherents to identitarianism, an ethno-nationalist movement, organised what they described as the inaugural meeting in Paris on remigration. 2024 October 3, Ashifa Kassam, “How remigration became a buzzword for global far right”, in The Guardian:
Under the Fourth Republic, more and more French unionized.
On the way, scouts reported that some French were heading toward them across the ice. 2002, Jeremy Thornton, The French and Indian War, page 14:
Such is the nature and complexion of the frenches, that they are worth nothing, but at the first push. 1653, François Rabelais, translated by Thomas Urquhart, Works of Mr. Francis Rabelais, volume I, page 214:
The Hundred Years' War was fought between the English and the French.
[…]to breake the necke of the wicked purposes & plots of the French[…] 1579, Francesco Guicciardini as, translated by Geoffrey Fenton, The Historie of Guicciardin, page 378:
(dated, slang, uncountable) Synonym of oral sex, especially fellatio.
Always use condoms with Greek (anal intercourse), straight sex (vaginal intercourse, fucking), French (oral sex). 1986 May 6, Semper Floreat, page 34:
You can be whipped or caned... or you can have French for another pound. 1968, Bill Turner, Sex Trap, page 64:
‘French’—still used by prostitutes as a term for oral sex. 1996 October 13, Observer, page 25:
French--^([sic]) to do the French--Cocksucking; and, inversely, to tongue a woman. 1916, Henry Nathaniel Cary, The Slang of Venery and Its Analogues, volume I, page 94:
(abbreviation, alt-of, dated, ellipsis, slang, uncountable) Ellipsis of French vermouth, a type of dry vermouth.
nl fransozen (people of France, collectively) · tpw Maíra (people of France, collectively) · no franskmenn (people of France, collectively) · sv fransmän (people of France, collectively) · as ফৰাচী (people of France, collectively) · kmr fransî (people of France, collectively) · ja フランス人 (people of France, collectively) · lt prancūzai (people of France, collectively) · es franceses (people of France, collectively) · io Franciani (people of France, collectively) · xng ᠪᠠᠷᠠᠨᠺᠺᠤᠳ (people of France, collectively) · zh 法國人 /法国人 (people of France, collectively) · nv Dáághahii dineʼé (people of France, collectively) · sl Francózinje (people of France, collectively) · vec fransexe (people of France, collectively) · he צרפתים (people of France, collectively) · da franskmænd (people of France, collectively) · chr ᎠᏂᎦᎸᏥ (people of France, collectively) · sh francuzi (people of France, collectively) · oj Wemitigoozhi (people of France, collectively) · ee Fransetɔwo (people of France, collectively) · eo francoj (people of France, collectively) · otw Wemtigoozhii (people of France, collectively) · et prantslased (people of France, collectively) · lv franči (people of France, collectively) · te పరాసులు (people of France, collectively) · ur فرانسیسی (people of France, collectively) · ar فَرَنْسِيُّونَ (people of France, collectively) · pa ਫ਼੍ਰਾਂਸੀਸੀ (people of France, collectively) · nl Fransen (people of France, collectively) · frm Françoys (people of France, collectively) · be францу́зы (people of France, collectively) · ce францхо (people of France, collectively) · fa فرانسویان (people of France, collectively) · oj Wemitigoozhiwag (people of France, collectively) · ar فرنسيس (people of France, collectively) · mn франц үндэстэн (people of France, collectively) · fro François (people of France, collectively) · hy ֆրանսիացիները (people of France, collectively) · la Francogalli (people of France, collectively) · tr Fransızlar (people of France, collectively) · ca els francesos (people of France, collectively) · de die Franzosen (people of France, collectively) · ia franceses (people of France, collectively) · ja 仏人 (people of France, collectively) · bn ফরাসি (people of France, collectively) · mt Franċiżi (people of France, collectively) · hi फ़्रांसीसी (people of France, collectively) · otw Wemtigoozhiikweg (people of France, collectively) · fr Français (people of France, collectively) · aeb فْرَنْسَاوِي (people of France, collectively) · gu ફ્રાન્સીસી (people of France, collectively) · hu franciák (people of France, collectively) · la Galli (people of France, collectively) · ms orang Perancis (people of France, collectively) · oj Wemitigoozhikweg (people of France, collectively) · fr français (people of France, collectively) · pl Francuzi (people of France, collectively) · ar فرنساويين (people of France, collectively) · is Frakkar (people of France, collectively) · sh французи (people of France, collectively) · yo ará Faran̄sé (people of France, collectively) · ta பிரஞ்சு மக்கள் (people of France, collectively) · ru францу́зы (people of France, collectively) · ko 프랑스 사람 (people of France, collectively) · ko 불인 (people of France, collectively) · mn францчууд (people of France, collectively) · oj Wemitigoozhikwe (people of France, collectively) · ta பிரெஞ்சு மக்கள் (people of France, collectively) · akz falànchi (people of France, collectively) · sv fransoser (people of France, collectively) · th ชาวฝรั่งเศส (people of France, collectively) · arc ܦܪܢܣܝܐ (people of France, collectively) · fy (de) Frânsen (people of France, collectively) · ms Perancis (people of France, collectively) · uk францу́зи (people of France, collectively) · tl Pranses (people of France, collectively) · ilo Frances (people of France, collectively) · vi người Pháp (people of France, collectively) · cs Francouzi (people of France, collectively) · ce француз (people of France, collectively) · ko 프랑스인 (people of France, collectively) · br Frañsizien (people of France, collectively) · oc franceses (people of France, collectively) · yo ọmọ ilẹ̀ Faran̄sé (people of France, collectively) · an franceses (people of France, collectively) · br Gallaoued (people of France, collectively) · mr फ्रेंच (people of France, collectively) · mwl franceses (people of France, collectively) · gd na Frangaich (people of France, collectively) · el Γάλλοι (people of France, collectively) · bg францу́зи (people of France, collectively) · gl franceses (people of France, collectively) · otw Wemtigoozhiig (people of France, collectively) · ast franceses (people of France, collectively) · id orang Perancis (people of France, collectively) · pt franceses (people of France, collectively) · it i francesi (people of France, collectively) · ro francezi (people of France, collectively) · aeb فْرَنْسِيسْ (people of France, collectively) · arc פרנסיא (people of France, collectively) · zh 法蘭西民族 /法兰西民族 (people of France, collectively) · otw Wemtigoozhiikwe (people of France, collectively) · fi ranskalaiset (people of France, collectively) · xng ᠸᠢᠷᠠᠨᠺᠺᠤᠳ (people of France, collectively) · zh 法蘭西人 /法兰西人 (people of France, collectively) · ka ფრანგები (people of France, collectively) · sl Francózi (people of France, collectively)
Etymology tree
Proto-Germanic *frankô
Proto-West Germanic *Frankō
Proto-Indo-European *-iskos
Proto-Germanic *-iskaz
Proto-West Germanic *-isk
Proto-West Germanic *Frankisk
Old English Frencisċder.
Middle English Frensch
English French
Inherited from Middle English Frenche, Frensch, Frensc, Frenshe, Frenk, Franche, from Old English Frenċisċ (“Frankish, French”), from Proto-West Germanic *Frankisk (“Frankish”), equivalent to Frank + -ish (compare Frankish). Cognate with Middle Low German vranksch, frenkisch, vrenkesch, vrenksch (“Frankish, French”), Middle High German vrenkisch, vrensch ("Frankish, Franconian; > German fränkisch (“Frankish, Franconian”)), Danish fransk (“French”), Swedish fransk, fransysk (“French”), Icelandic franska (“French”).
Doublet of Frankish; piecewise doublet of Francis, Franz, and Francisco, which are derived from Late Latin Franciscus
In reference to vulgar language, from expressions such as pardon my French in the early 19th century, originally in reference to actual (but often mildly impolite) French expressions by the upper class, subsequently adopted ironically by the lower class for English curse words under the charitable conceit that the listener would not be familiar with them.
In reference to vermouth, a shortened form of French vermouth, distinguished as usually being drier than Italian vermouth.
Meanings
(uncountable) The language of France, shared by the neighboring countries Belgium, Monaco, and Switzerland and by former French colonies around the world.
Although he would spend the rest of his life in France, Picasso never mastered the language, and during those early years he was especially self-conscious about how bad his French was. 2004, Jack Flam, Matisse and Picasso: The Story of Their Rivalry and Friendship, page 18:
The Frenches of England remain as working languages in the different registers of various occupational communities and for particular social rituals. Beyond the fifteenth century, French is a much less substantial presence in England, though[…] 2013, Jocelyn Wogan-Browne, Language and Culture in Medieval Britain: The French of England, C.1100-c.1500, Boydell & Brewer Ltd, →ISBN, page 361:
Ne mowe we alle Latin wite...
Ne French... c. 1390, Robert Grosseteste, translating Chateau d'Amour as The Castle of Love, ll. 25 ff.
I... wolde also be bolde in such french as is peculiare to the lawys of this realme, to leue it wyth them in wrytynge to. 1533, Thomas More, The Debellacyon of Salem & Bizance, fol. 96
I could speak but little French. 1720, Daniel Defoe, Memoirs of a Cavalier, page 13:
Thus, complementary to the French of France, the Quebecois (and in a lesser degree the Frenches of Africa, Swiss French, etc.) would constitute languages in their own right. 1991, Michael Clyne, Pluricentric Languages: Differing Norms in Different Nations, Walter de Gruyter, →ISBN, page 169:
For the abbreviation of the name of the pieces, each player is free to use the name which is commonly used in his/her country. Examples: F = fou (French for bishop), L = loper (Dutch for bishop). In printed periodicals, the use of figurines is recommended. 2022, “2023 Laws of Chess”, in FIDE, page 21:
Almost three quarters of the population 65 and older reported speaking French. 1997, Albert Valdman, French and Creole in Louisiana, page 29:
She speaks French.
(uncountable) The ability of a person to communicate in French.
My French is a little rusty.
[Racine's] language is the language of the times, and that of the purest sort; so that his French is reckoned a standard. 1742 April 4, R. West, letter to Thomas Gray
(uncountable) French language and literature as an object of study.
The book... is a welcome change from theory-infected academic discourse, pardon my French. 2005 May 29, New York Times Book Review, page 12:
Pardon my French.
The enraged headsman spares no 'bad French' in explaining his motives. 1845, Edward Jerningham Wakefield, Adventure in New Zealand, volume I, page 327:
Cameron: Pardon my French, but you're an asshole! 1986, John Hughes, Ferris Bueller's Day Off'
(countable) A surname originating as an ethnonym.
Dawn French.
David French was a high profile #nevertrump conservative who even toyed with running for president against him. 2017 July 14, Jason Wilson, “Like father like son? What conservatives are writing about Donald Trump Jr”, in The Guardian:
nap franzese (principal language of France and other related countries) · kg Kifalanse (principal language of France and other related countries) · ti ፈረንሳይኛ (principal language of France and other related countries) · gu ફ્રાન્સીસી (principal language of France and other related countries) · km ភាសាបារាំង (principal language of France and other related countries) · ja フランス語 (principal language of France and other related countries) · roa-gal fraunceiz (principal language of France and other related countries) · kw Frenkek (principal language of France and other related countries) · ast faladuríu (vulgar language) · nl schuttingtaal (vulgar language) · kmr zimanê fransî (principal language of France and other related countries) · otw Wemtigoozhiimwin (principal language of France and other related countries) · eo franca lingvo (principal language of France and other related countries) · sq gjuha franceze (principal language of France and other related countries) · bm Faransekan (principal language of France and other related countries) · syl ꠚꠞꠣꠍꠤ ꠝꠣꠔ (principal language of France and other related countries) · yue 法文 (principal language of France and other related countries) · ha Turanci (principal language of France and other related countries) · de Französisch (principal language of France and other related countries) · mi reo Wīwī (principal language of France and other related countries) · ko 불어 (principal language of France and other related countries) · ms Perancis (principal language of France and other related countries) · vo Fransänapük (principal language of France and other related countries) · ta பிரஞ்சு (principal language of France and other related countries) · rif Tafransist (principal language of France and other related countries) · ar فَرَنْسِيّ (principal language of France and other related countries) · ht lang franse (principal language of France and other related countries) · si ප්රංශ (principal language of France and other related countries) · ss SíFulentji (principal language of France and other related countries) · nb fransk (principal language of France and other related countries) · gur Fãrenne (principal language of France and other related countries) · ms bahasa Perancis (principal language of France and other related countries) · ro franțuzește (principal language of France and other related countries) · si ප්රංශ භාෂාව (principal language of France and other related countries) · ar فرنساوي (principal language of France and other related countries) · zh файү (principal language of France and other related countries) · dsb francojska rěc (principal language of France and other related countries) · pa ਫ਼੍ਰਾਂਸੀਸੀ (principal language of France and other related countries) · nv Dáághahii bizaad (principal language of France and other related countries) · tr Fransızca (principal language of France and other related countries) · be францу́зская мо́ва (principal language of France and other related countries) · pcd frinsé (principal language of France and other related countries) · ro franceză (principal language of France and other related countries) · hy ֆրանսերեն (principal language of France and other related countries) · ha Faransanci (principal language of France and other related countries) · ko 프랑스어 (principal language of France and other related countries) · lou françé (principal language of France and other related countries) · eo franca (principal language of France and other related countries) · uk французька (principal language of France and other related countries) · as ফৰাচী ভাষা (principal language of France and other related countries) · ar فَرَنْسَاوِيّ (principal language of France and other related countries) · kw Frynkek (principal language of France and other related countries) · cs francouzský jazyk (principal language of France and other related countries) · bjn bahasa Parancis (principal language of France and other related countries) · ln lifalansé (principal language of France and other related countries) · co francese (principal language of France and other related countries) · li Frans (principal language of France and other related countries) · chr ᎦᎸᏥ (principal language of France and other related countries) · ps فرانسوي (principal language of France and other related countries) · vep Francijan kelʹ (principal language of France and other related countries) · is franska (principal language of France and other related countries) · lt prancūzų kalba (principal language of France and other related countries) · ce французийн мотт (principal language of France and other related countries) · fo franskt (principal language of France and other related countries) · sg farânzi (principal language of France and other related countries) · zh 法文 (principal language of France and other related countries) · ja 仏語 (principal language of France and other related countries) · gur Fãrene (principal language of France and other related countries) · da fransk (principal language of France and other related countries) · lad lingua Fransesa (principal language of France and other related countries) · kn ಫ್ರೆಂಚ್ (principal language of France and other related countries) · fud fakafalani (principal language of France and other related countries) · he צרפתית (principal language of France and other related countries) · uz fransuzcha (principal language of France and other related countries) · id bahasa Perancis (principal language of France and other related countries) · mk француски јазик (principal language of France and other related countries) · st Se-french (principal language of France and other related countries) · my ပြင်သစ်စကား (principal language of France and other related countries) · ar اللُّغَة الفَرَنْسِيَّة (principal language of France and other related countries) · pa فرانسیسی (principal language of France and other related countries) · te ఫ్రెంచ్ (principal language of France and other related countries) · bcl Pranses (principal language of France and other related countries) · tk fransuz dili (principal language of France and other related countries) · ta ஃப்ரெஞ்ச் (principal language of France and other related countries) · sq frëngjisht (principal language of France and other related countries) · fa فرانسوی (principal language of France and other related countries) · gd Fraingis (principal language of France and other related countries) · ar فرنسي (principal language of France and other related countries) · fur francês (principal language of France and other related countries) · mdf Кранцонь кяль (principal language of France and other related countries) · hrx Franzeesisch (principal language of France and other related countries) · te ఫ్రెంచి (principal language of France and other related countries) · hu francia (principal language of France and other related countries) · ro limba franceză (principal language of France and other related countries) · dsb francojšćina (principal language of France and other related countries) · cy Ffrangeg (principal language of France and other related countries) · nrf Fraunceis (principal language of France and other related countries) · zh 法語 /法语 (principal language of France and other related countries) · cv хрантус (principal language of France and other related countries) · tum Cifurenci (principal language of France and other related countries) · hak 法文 (principal language of France and other related countries) · mwl francés (principal language of France and other related countries) · aeb فْرُنْسِي (principal language of France and other related countries) · es francés (principal language of France and other related countries) · kpv Франция кыв (principal language of France and other related countries) · pl (język) francuski (principal language of France and other related countries) · et prantsuse keel (principal language of France and other related countries) · ast francés (principal language of France and other related countries) · uk французька мова (principal language of France and other related countries) · ru францу́зский язы́к (principal language of France and other related countries) · sl francóščina (principal language of France and other related countries) · hsb francošćina (principal language of France and other related countries) · fi ranskan kieli (principal language of France and other related countries) · lou fransé (principal language of France and other related countries) · ceb Prinanses (principal language of France and other related countries) · an francés (principal language of France and other related countries) · mt il-Franċiż (principal language of France and other related countries) · arc פרנסיא (principal language of France and other related countries) · af Frans (principal language of France and other related countries) · iu ᐅᐃᕖᑎᑐᓪᓗ (principal language of France and other related countries) · sk francúzština (principal language of France and other related countries) · ar فرنسي (principal language of France and other related countries) · ne फ्रान्सेली भाषा (principal language of France and other related countries) · bg фре́нски ези́к (principal language of France and other related countries) · ur فرانسیسی (principal language of France and other related countries) · lo ພາສາຝະລັ່ງ (principal language of France and other related countries) · pms fransèis (principal language of France and other related countries) · ca francès (principal language of France and other related countries) · nn fransk (principal language of France and other related countries) · frm françoys (principal language of France and other related countries) · pt linguajar (vulgar language) · cdo 法語 /法语 (principal language of France and other related countries) · cs francouzština (principal language of France and other related countries) · tl Pranses (principal language of France and other related countries) · ru францу́зский (principal language of France and other related countries) · ug فرانسۇزچە (principal language of France and other related countries) · ar الفَرَنْسِيَّة (principal language of France and other related countries) · fro françois (principal language of France and other related countries) · fi ranska (principal language of France and other related countries) · vo Flentapük (principal language of France and other related countries) · bn ফরাসি ভাষা (principal language of France and other related countries) · el γαλλικά (principal language of France and other related countries) · el Γαλλικά (vulgar language) · ang Frenċisċ (principal language of France and other related countries) · dv ފަރަންސޭސި (principal language of France and other related countries) · lij lengua françèise (principal language of France and other related countries) · ilo Frances (principal language of France and other related countries) · pl francuszczyzna (principal language of France and other related countries) · hi फ़्रांसीसी (principal language of France and other related countries) · pt francês (principal language of France and other related countries) · lv franču valoda (principal language of France and other related countries) · ckb فەرەنساوی (principal language of France and other related countries) · ia francese (principal language of France and other related countries) · wls fakafalani (principal language of France and other related countries) · oj wemitigoozhiimowin (principal language of France and other related countries) · wa Francès (principal language of France and other related countries) · fy Frânsk (principal language of France and other related countries) · ar اللُّغَة الفَرَنْسَاوِيَّة (principal language of France and other related countries) · sq frëngjishte (principal language of France and other related countries) · rm lingua franzosa (principal language of France and other related countries) · smn Ranskakielâ (principal language of France and other related countries) · th ภาษาฝรั่งเศส (principal language of France and other related countries) · mos fãrende (principal language of France and other related countries) · vi Pháp ngữ (principal language of France and other related countries) · br galleg (principal language of France and other related countries) · ar فرنساوية (principal language of France and other related countries) · gl francés (principal language of France and other related countries) · ca francés (principal language of France and other related countries) · ar فرنساوي (principal language of France and other related countries) · xmf ფრანგული ნინა (principal language of France and other related countries) · sco French (principal language of France and other related countries) · ext francés (principal language of France and other related countries) · lmo françes (principal language of France and other related countries) · srn Franstongo (principal language of France and other related countries) · sh francuski (principal language of France and other related countries) · am ፈረንሳይኛ (principal language of France and other related countries) · sh француски (principal language of France and other related countries) · sd فِرانسِيسِي (principal language of France and other related countries) · vec fransexe (principal language of France and other related countries) · zu isiFulentshi (principal language of France and other related countries) · io Franciana (principal language of France and other related countries) · bg фре́нски (principal language of France and other related countries) · fi kielenkäyttö (vulgar language) · fax francés (principal language of France and other related countries) · de Franzesisch (principal language of France and other related countries) · rad klei Prăng (principal language of France and other related countries) · nds Franzöösch (principal language of France and other related countries) · iu ᐅᐃᕖᑎᑐᑦ (principal language of France and other related countries) · sv franska (principal language of France and other related countries) · ce перенгийн мотт (principal language of France and other related countries) · haw ʻōlelo Palani (principal language of France and other related countries) · ar الفَرَنْسَاوِيَّة (principal language of France and other related countries) · cr ᐅᐱᔥᑎᑯᔮᐅᐊᔨᒧᐎᓐ (principal language of France and other related countries) · lld franzëus (principal language of France and other related countries) · tg фаронсавӣ (principal language of France and other related countries) · ee Fransegbe (principal language of France and other related countries) · mn франц хэл (principal language of France and other related countries) · lb Franséisch (principal language of France and other related countries) · ka ფრანგული ენა (principal language of France and other related countries) · ga Fraincis (principal language of France and other related countries) · ky франсузча (principal language of France and other related countries) · sk francúzsky jazyk (principal language of France and other related countries) · ht fransè (principal language of France and other related countries) · sw Kifaransa (principal language of France and other related countries) · yo èdè Faran̄sé (principal language of France and other related countries) · ml ഫ്രഞ്ച് ഭാഷ (principal language of France and other related countries) · arc ܦܪܢܣܝܐ (principal language of France and other related countries) · oc francés (principal language of France and other related countries) · frp Francês (principal language of France and other related countries) · ur فرانسیسی زبان (principal language of France and other related countries) · pcd franchoés (principal language of France and other related countries) · kmr frensî (principal language of France and other related countries) · ta பிரெஞ்சு (principal language of France and other related countries) · arn fransia dungun (principal language of France and other related countries) · os францусаг ӕвзаг (principal language of France and other related countries) · sq gjuha frënge (principal language of France and other related countries) · nl Frans (principal language of France and other related countries) · mr फ्रेंच (principal language of France and other related countries) · vi tiếng Pháp (principal language of France and other related countries) · ka ფრანგული (principal language of France and other related countries) · fr langue française (principal language of France and other related countries) · kmr ferensayî (principal language of France and other related countries) · ak Frɛnkye (principal language of France and other related countries) · gv Frangish (principal language of France and other related countries) · zh 法語 /法语 (principal language of France and other related countries) · jv basa Prancis (principal language of France and other related countries) · zza Franski (principal language of France and other related countries) · it francese (principal language of France and other related countries) · gcf fransè (principal language of France and other related countries) · fr français (principal language of France and other related countries) · eu frantses (principal language of France and other related countries) · zea Frans (principal language of France and other related countries) · tg забони фаронсавӣ (principal language of France and other related countries) · yi פֿראַנצייזיש (principal language of France and other related countries) · kl franskisut (principal language of France and other related countries) · az Fransız dili (principal language of France and other related countries) · nah Francitlahtōlli (principal language of France and other related countries) · se fránskkagiella (principal language of France and other related countries)
Etymology tree
Proto-Germanic *frankô
Proto-West Germanic *Frankō
Proto-Indo-European *-iskos
Proto-Germanic *-iskaz
Proto-West Germanic *-isk
Proto-West Germanic *Frankisk
Old English Frencisċder.
Middle English Frensch
English French
Inherited from Middle English Frenche, Frensch, Frensc, Frenshe, Frenk, Franche, from Old English Frenċisċ (“Frankish, French”), from Proto-West Germanic *Frankisk (“Frankish”), equivalent to Frank + -ish (compare Frankish). Cognate with Middle Low German vranksch, frenkisch, vrenkesch, vrenksch (“Frankish, French”), Middle High German vrenkisch, vrensch ("Frankish, Franconian; > German fränkisch (“Frankish, Franconian”)), Danish fransk (“French”), Swedish fransk, fransysk (“French”), Icelandic franska (“French”).
Doublet of Frankish; piecewise doublet of Francis, Franz, and Francisco, which are derived from Late Latin Franciscus
In reference to vulgar language, from expressions such as pardon my French in the early 19th century, originally in reference to actual (but often mildly impolite) French expressions by the upper class, subsequently adopted ironically by the lower class for English curse words under the charitable conceit that the listener would not be familiar with them.
In reference to vermouth, a shortened form of French vermouth, distinguished as usually being drier than Italian vermouth.