
Words of French language origin have entered English language and other languages. Many of those words in turn originate from Latin, and sometimes from Greek language. It is via French that many Latin words have come to the English language. Most of the French vocabulary now appearing in English was imported over the centuries following the Norman Conquest of 1066, when England came under the administration of Norman language peoples. According to English language#Vocabulary, between one third to two thirds of all English words have a French origin. This suggests that at least 30,000 words should appear in this list. Many non-Latin Germanic words have also entered English from the Germanic element in French. Since English is of Germanic origin, ascertaining whether a given Germanic word is definitely from French can be difficult in a few cases. There is a language game that consists in converting French-origin words into Germanic-origin words to make the English language seem ''purer''. Hence, rock becomes stone and pure becomes white. ==A== *abandon [Middle English ''abandounen'', from Old Fr. ''abandoner'', compare Mod. Fr. ''abandonner''] *abase [Middle English ''abassen'', from Old French ''abaissier''] (Compare modern French ''abaisser'') *abash [Middle English ''abaishen'', from Old French ''esbahir''] (Compare contemporary French ''ébahir'') *abatis *abattoir, from ''abattre'' to kill [an animal] or cut down [a tree] *abbatial (Fr. ''abbatial'') *abbey *abbreviation, from ''abréviation'' *abet *abhor (Old Fr. ''abhorrer'') *ability *abjection *ablation (Fr. ''ablation'') *ablative *able, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''habile'' *ablution *abnormal compare ''anormal'' *aboard (Fr. ''à bord'') *abolish, compare ''abolir'' *abomination *abortive *abound *abridge *absence *absolute, from Middle French, compare modern Fr. ''absolu'' *absorb (Fr. ''absorber'') *abstain (Old Fr. ''abstenir'') *abstinence *abstract *abstruse *absurd (Fr. ''absurde'') *abundance (Old Fr. ''abundance'') *abuse *academic (Fr. ''académique'') *academy, compare ''académie'' *Acadia (Fr. ''Acadie'') *acceleration (Fr. ''accélération'') *accent (Fr. ''accent'') *accept *access (Fr. ''accès'') *accession *accident *acclimate (Fr. ''acclimater'') *accolade (Fr. ''accolade'') *accommodation *accompany (Fr. ''accompagner'') *accomplice (Fr. ''complice'') *accomplish (Fr. ''accomplir'') *accord *accost *account *accoutre *accoutrement (Fr. ''accoutrement'') *accredit *accrue *accusation *accusative (Old Fr. ''accusatif'') *accuse *accustom (Old Fr. ''acostumer'', now ''accoutumer'') *ace, compare ''as'' *acid, compare ''acide'' *acoustic, compare ''acoustique'' *aquisitive *acquit *acrobat *acrostic, compare ''acrostiche'' *action *activity, compare ''activité'' *adaptation *adhesive, compare ''adhésif'' or feminine form ''adhésive'' *adieu, which literally means "to God" (à Dieu), farewell *adjective, compare ''adjectif'' *administer *admire, compare ''admirer'' *adolescence *adopt, compare ''adopter'' *adore, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''adorer'' *adroit *advantage, compare ''avantage'' *adventure, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''aventure'' *adverb, compare ''adverbe'' *adversary, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''adversaire'' *advertisement, compare ''avertissement'' (warning) *advise, compare ''aviser'' (to assess [a situation]) *advocate (noun), from Old French ''avocat'' - in modern French this means an attorney or lawyer *affair, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''affaire'' (business) *affection *affiliation *affinity, compare ''affinité'' *affliction *affluence *age *agent provocateur *aggression, compare ''agression'' *à gogo, or a-go-go, in abundance *agreeable, compare ''agréable'' *aide-de-camp *''à la''..., in the style of... *alabaster, from Old French ''alabastre'' (>Latin> Greek> Ancient Egyptian ''a-labaste'') *''à la carte'' *alas, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''hélas'' *alert, compare ''alerte'' *align, compare ''aligner'' *allocation *allure, look or air *almond, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''amande''; compare also Spanish ''almandra'' *altar, from ''autel'' *amateur *ambiguous, from ''ambigu'' *ambition *ambergris, from ''ambre gris'' *ambulance *amnesty, compare ''amnistie'' *amorous, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''amoureux'' *ample *amplitude *amusement *analyse, compare ''analyser'' *anarchism *anarchist (Fr. ''anarchiste'') *anatomy, compare ''anatomie'' *ancestor, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''ancêtre'' *ancient, compare ''ancien'' *angle *Anglophobe, someone who fears England or the English *anglophone, a speaker of English (Fr. ''anglophone'') *anguish (from Old French ''anguisse'', now ''angoisse'') *anise *annals *annex, compare ''annexer'' *annihilation *announce *annoy, from Old French ''ennuyer'' or ''anoier'', compare modern French ''ennui'' *annual *annuity *annular *anoint, compare ''oindre'' *anomie *antecedent, compare ''antécédent'' *anther, compare ''anthère'' *antique *apartment, compare ''appartement'' *apathy, compare ''apathie'' *aplomb *apostrophe *apparel, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''appareil'' *application *appliqué *apprehend, compare ''appréhender'' *après-ski *apropos, compare ''à propos'' *arcade *archetype *area, from ''aire'' *arête, a mountainous ridge *argent (Fr. ''argent'') *argue, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''arguer'' *army, compare ''armée'' *artificial, from ''artificiel'' *artist *assembly *assume, from ''assumer'' (old meaning : to suppose) *assurance *attack *attaché *attorney *attitude *aubergine, British name for eggplant *au naturel *authority *avenue (Fr. ''avenue'') *average *averment *aversion (Fr. ''aversion'') *avert *aviation (Fr. ''aviation'') *avid *avocet *avoid (Old Fr. ''evuider'') *avoirdupois *avouch *avow *axiom (Fr. ''axiome'') *aye-aye *azimuth (from Old French, from Arabic ''as-sumut'') *azure (Old Fr. ''azur'', from Old Spanish ''azur'', from Arabic, in turn from Persian) ==B== *baggage, from Old French ''bagage'' *ballet *band, from ''bande'' *bandeau, a type of headdress *banquet *barge *baron *baroque *barren, from Old French *base *Baton Rouge, Louisiana *battle *bay, compare ''baie'' *bayonet, compare ''baïonnette'' *beagle *beak, compare ''bec'' *Béarnaise, a type of sauce *beau, a lover or a dandy *beauty *beast *beaux arts, fine arts *beef *beret, compare ''béret'' *bête noire *bicycle, compare ''bicyclette'' *bidet *bikini *billet *billet-doux, a love letter *biscuit *bistro *bivouac *bizarre *blanket, from Old French ''blankete'' *blasé *bloc *blonde *boast *boil (Old Fr. ''boilir'') *Boise *bomb *bombard *bombe *bon appétit *bon mot *bonnet, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''bonnet'' *bon-vivant *bon voyage *bon-bon *bouillabaisse *boule *boulevard *bound (leap), from ''bond'' *bouquet *bourgeoisie *bracelet *bran, from Old French ''bran'' or ''bren'' *brandish, compare ''brandir'' *brasserie *brassiere, compare ''brassière'', although the modern French for this is ''soutien-gorge'' *brave *bravery *bravo *bric-à-brac or bric-a-brac *brigade *brilliant, compare ''brillant'' *brioche *briquette *brochure, from ''brocher'' - to stitch *broderie anglaise, a type of embroidery *brunette *buckle, compare ''boucle'' *budget, from Old Fr. ''bougette'' (a little purse) *buffet *bullet, from ''boulette'', although the modern French for this is ''balle'' *bureau *button, from ''bouton'' ==C== *cabal, compare ''cabale'' *cabaret *cadet *café *cafetière *cagoule *cajole, compare ''cajoler'' *calque *camaraderie *camouflage *camp *campaign, compare ''campagne'' *canapé *canard, aeronautical term *to cancel, from ''canceller'', evolution of ''chanceler'' (1293) (to cross out) *capacity *cape, compare ''cap'', land jutting into the sea, as in Cape Horn *captain *car *card, compare ''carte'' *career, compare ''carrière'' *casserole *cassette *castle *castor *casual, compare ''casuel'' *casuist, compare ''casuiste'' *cataclysm *catalogue *catch *category *caterpillar *catholic *cattle *cause *cavalry, compare ''cavalerie'' *celebrate, from ''célébrer'' *cement (Old Fr. ''ciment'') *cense, compare ''encenser'' *censer (Old Fr. ''censier'') *centime (Fr. ''centime'') *centre (Old Fr. ''centre'') *chaise longue or sometimes chaise lounge *chalet *chalice, from ''calice'' *chance *change *character, from ''caractère'' *chase, compare ''chasse'' *château *chatelaine *chattel *chauffeur *chauvinism *cheat *check (Old Fr. ''eschec'') *checkmate, compare ''échec et mat'' *cheer *chef *chemise *chemist, from ''chimiste'' *cherish, from ''chérir'' *cherry, from ''cerise'' *cheval de frise, a military term *cheval-glass, from ''cheval'' - horse *chiffon *chivalry *cinema, compare ''cinéma'' *city, from ''cité'' *claim, from ''clamer'' *clairvoyance *clarinet, compare ''clarinette'' *classic *cliché *cloche, a kind of hat *closet, from Old French ''closet'' *Coeur d'Alene *coiffeuse *collage *collar, from ''collier'', from ''cou'' (neck) *colonel, compare modern Fr. ''colonel'' *combustible *comedian and comedienne, compare ''comédien'' and ''comédienne'' *comic, from ''comique'' (funny) *commandant, commanding officer *commendation *commode *common *communion *communiqué *communism (Fr. ''communisme'') *community, from Old Fr. ''comunalté'', modern Fr. ''communauté'' *company (milit.), from ''compagnie'' *competent *competitor *complete *comrade, from ''camarade'' *concede, from ''concéder'' *congratulations *convenient, from ''convenant'', ''convenable'' *cordon *cormorant, compare ''cormoran'' *cornet *corniche *corps *corset *costume *cotton (Old Fr. 'coton') *council *count *county (Old Fr. ''cunte'') *counter *counterfeit, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''contrefaire'' *country (Old Fr. ''cuntree'') *coup *couple *coupon *courage (Old Fr. ''corage'') *courageous *courgette, in the UK, but called zucchini in the US *courier *course *court *courtesy *couscous *cousin (Old Fr. ''cosin'') *couture *couturier *cover (Old Fr. ''covrir'') *crème brûlée *crème caramel *''crème de menthe'' *crêpe *croupier *crouton *crown, from ''couronne'' *cuisine *cul-de-sac *culotte *cult (Fr. ''culte'') *culture (Fr. ''culture'') *custom, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''coutume'' ==D== *dais, from Old French ''deis'' *dalmatic (Old Fr. ''dalmatique'') *dame *damage *damn (Fr. ''damner'') *déclassé *décolletage *décor or decor *découpage *defamation, from ''diffamation'' *default, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''défaut'' *defeat *déjà vu *de luxe *demi-monde *démodé *denouement *dépanneur *deploy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''déployer'' *derail, compare ''dérailler'' *derive *derogation (Fr. ''dérogation'') *''derrière'' *descend *desert *Des Moines (Fr. ''des moines'' of the monks) *dessert *detachment *detail *detain *''détente'' *determine *detonation *detriment *Detroit (Fr. ''détroit'' = strait) *deuce, from ''deux'' (two) *develop[ment] *deviation *device (Old Fr. ''devis'') *devise *devoid *devotion *devour (Old Fr. ''devorer'') *devout *diabolical *diadem *diamanté *diet *digestion *dignity (Old Fr. ''dignete'') *dilate *diligence *dime (Old Fr. ''disme'') *diplomacy, compare ''diplomatie'' *direction (Fr. ''direction'') *disadvantage *disappoint *disarm (Old Fr. ''desarmer'') *discothèque or discotheque, thus disco *disguise *disport (Old Fr. ''desporter'') *diverse *divinity *division (disambiguation) *Dixie (Fr. ''dix'' ten) *double entendre *dozen, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''douzaine'' *dressage *duvet ==E== *eager, from Old French ''aigre'' *eagle, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''aigle'' *easy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''aisé'' *echelon, compare ''échelon'' *éclair *ecstasy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''extase'' *eloquence, compare ''éloquence'' *emigré *emperor (Old Fr. ''emperere'') *empire *emplacement *employ (Old Fr. ''employer'') *empress *enclave *encore *encourage, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''encourager'' *endive *endue *endure *endurance *enfranchise *engage *enemy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''ennemi'' *energy (Fr. ''énergie'') *engage, compare ''engager'' *enmity, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''inimitié'' *ennui *enrage, compare ''enrager'' *enrich, compare ''enrichir'' *ensemble *en suite *ensure, from 'assurer'' *entente *enter, compare ''entrer'' *entomb, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''entomber'' *entrant *entrée (but is first part of the meal in French) *entrepreneur (Fr. from ''entreprendre'' undertake) *envelope, compare ''enveloppe'' *environ, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''environs'' *environment[al] *envisage, compare ''envisager'' *envoy, compare ''envoyé'' *envy, compare ''envier'' *epaulet or epaulette, compare ''épaulette'' *épée *ephebe, from ''éphèbe'' *ephemeral, from ''"éphémère'' *epic, from ''épique'' *epicurean, from ''épicurien'' *epidemic, from ''épidémie'' *epilogue *episcopal *episode *epithet, from ''épithète'' *épris *equal, from ''égal'' *equality, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''égalité'' *equation *equilibrate, from ''équilibrer'' *equipage, compare ''équipage'' *équipe *equipment, from ''équipement'' *equitable *equity, from ''équité'' *eradicate, compare ''éradiquer'' *erase, from ''araser'' *erect, from ''ériger'' (to build) *ermine *erode, compare ''éroder'' *escapade *escargot *escarpment *essence *establish (Old Fr. ''establisse'') *estate (Old Fr. ''estat'') *ether *etiquette, ''étiquette'' *Eucharist (Old Fr. ''eucariste'') *European, compare ''européen'' *evangelist, compare ''évangéliste'' *evaporation, compare ''évaporation'' *evasion, compare ''évasion'' *example *exclamation *exhibition, from Old French ''exhibicion'' *expire, compare ''expirer'' *exploit, compare ''exploiter'' *exposé or expose *extraction (Fr. ''extraction'') *extraordinaire *extravagance ==F== *fabric, compare ''fabrique'' *fabulous *face *facile *factor *faience, compare ''faïence'' *failure *fanfare *fantastic *fantasy, compare ''fantaisie'' *farce *farm *fashion, from Old French ''façon'' *fatigue *fault, from ''faute'' *faux pas *feast *feint, compare ''feinte'' *felicity, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''félicité'' *felon, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''félon'' *feminine, compare ''féminin'' *fertility, compare ''fertilité'' *fête *figure *fiancé *fillet, compare ''filet'' *''film noir'' *finance *fine, compare ''fin'' *flageolet *flambé *flan *flèche *fleur-de-lis *flexible *flirt, from ''fleuretter'', ''conter fleurette'' *floret, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''fleurette'' *florin *floss *flourish *flower (Old Fr. ''flour'') *fluid, compare ''fluide'' *folly, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''folie'' *fondant *font (Fr. ''fonte'') *fool (Old Fr. ''fol'') *force majeure *fork, from ''fourche'' and diminutive ''fourchette'' *foreign *forest, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''forêt'' *foyer *fracas *fraction (disambiguation), from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''fraction'' *francophone, a speaker of French (Fr. ''francophone'') *frappé *frigate, compare ''frégate'' *frisson *fritter, compare ''friture'' *frontier *fuselage *fusible *fusion *futile *future, from ''futur'' ==G== *gabardine *gaffe *gallant, compare ''galant'' *gallop, from ''galop'' *galvanize *ganache *gangrene *gangue *garage *garter, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''jarretière'' *gasket *gâteau or gateau *gauche *gay, from ''gai'' (merry, with no sexual meaning) *gel *gelatin(e), from ''gélatine'' *gem, from ''gemme'' *general *generic *generozity *generous *gender, from ''genre'' *genial *genius, from ''génie'' *gent *gentle, from Old Fr. ''gentil'' (both noble and sweet) *genteel *gently, from ''gentiment'' *gesticulation *gesture, from ''geste'' (movement) *giant *gigantism *gigolo *gleet (Old Fr. ''glette'') *glissade *globe (Fr. ''globe'') *global *goblet, from Old Fr. ''gobelet'' (a deep cup) *gondolier *gorge *gorgeous *gouache *gourmet *govern, governance, government, governor *grace *gracious, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''gracieux'' *grammar, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''grammaire'' *grand *grant *gratin *grief *group *gruel, from ''gruau'' *guard, from ''garde'' *guide *guild, from ''guilde'' *guillotine *gulf, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''golfe'' ==H== *harlequin, from ''Arlequin'', a character from the Italian comedy *haste, from OF. (Compare contemporary French ''hâte'') *''haute couture'' high sewing *hazard (Old Fr. ''hasard'') *Hollandaise *honour or honor, Old French, compare modern Fr. ''honneur'' *hors d'œuvre *hotel, compare ''hôtel'' *huge (Old Fr. ''ahuge'') *humanity (Old Fr. ''humanité'') ==I== *illustration *ignore *ignorance *ignorant *imagine *imaginative *immediate *imbecile, compare ''imbécile'' *indictment *infant *influence *influx *inform *information (Old Fr. ''information'') *infrastructure *infusion *ingénue *injustice (from ''injustice'') *insurance, from ''assurance'' *insurgent, from ''insurgé'' *insurmountable, from ''insurmontable'' *insurrection *intact *integer, from ''entier ,intègre'' *integrate, from ''intégrer'' *integrity *integrant *intellect[ual] *intelligence *intention *intercession *interchange *intercourse *interdict *interest *interfere *interlace *intense *intrinsic, compare ''intrinsèque'' *ivory, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''ivoire'' ==J== *jack, Old Fr. ''jaque'' or ''jacque'', a garment, from ''Jacques'', general nickname for peasants who used to wear this garment (see jacket) *jacket, Old Fr. ''jaquette'', diminutive form of ''jaque'' *jade *''j'adoube'' *jargon *jelly *je ne sais quoi *jet (lignite) *jetty *jew, from Old French ''giu'' *jewel, from ''joyau'' *joie de vivre *join, from ''joindre'' *joint *journey, from la ''journée'' [the day] (the distance you may walk or ride within one day) *judge, from ''juge'' *juggle, from ''jongler'' *juggler *justice, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''justice'' ==K== *kepi, compare ''képi'' *kilo *kilogram (Fr. ''kilogramme'') *kilometre (Fr. ''kilomètre'') ==L== *label *labour or labor, compare ''labourer'' *lace *lackey, compare ''laquais'' *laissez-faire *lamé *lancer *lancet *language (Old Fr. ''langage'') *L'Anse aux Meadows (Fr. ''L'anse aux méduses'' : Jellyfish Cove) *large *largess *latrine *launder *laundry *laurel *lave *laver (Fr. ''laveoir'') *lay, literary sense *leisure, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''loisir'' *liaison *lias *libel, from Old Fr. ''un libelle'' (short memorandum) *liberal *liberty (from Old Fr . ''liberté'') *library *license *licorice *lieu *lieutenant *limousine *lingerie *liquor, from ''liqueur'' *litre *lorgnette *Louisiana (Fr. ''Louisiane'' land of Louis XIV) *Louisville, Kentucky (named after Louis XVI) *loupe *love (as used in tennis) *lozenge, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''losange'' *luminary, compare ''luminaire'' *Luster ==M== *machine *madam, from Old French ''ma dame'', my lady *mail *Maine (name of a former French province) *maintain *maintenance *maisonette, compare ''maisonnette'' *maître d'hôtel, also maitre d' or maitre dee *majesty *majority *maladroit *malinger *mange-tout *manger *mannequin *manœuvre or manœuver, compare ''manœuvre'' *mannequin *maquis *mardi gras *marine, compare ''marin'' *marmalade, compare ''marmelade'' *marriage, compare ''mariage'' *marshal, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''maréchal'' *marvel *marvelous, from ''merveilleux'' *mascot *masculine *mask, compare ''masque'' *masque *mass (Old Fr. ''masse'') *massacre, compare ''massacrer'' *massage *masseuse *mathematics *matron *mattress, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''matelas'' *May, compare ''mai'' *Mayday, from ''m'aider'' which means literally ''to help me'' *medal, compare ''médaille'' *mediocre, compare ''médiocre'' *mêlée *memory *ménage à trois *mercy *meridian *merit *merle *merlin *merlon *meringue *mésalliance *mesclun *mess *message *messenger *Messiah (Old Fr. ''Messie'') *messianic (Fr. ''messianique'') *military *mille-feuille *Mille Lacs (USA), means thousand lakes *milliard (Fr. ''milliard'') *million *miniature *mining, as in a coal mine *minister (Old Fr. ''ministre'') *minstrel *mitten, compare ''mitaine'' *modern *modify *module *''moi'' *moil *moist (Old Fr. ''moiste'') *moment (Old Fr. ''moment'') *monad *monarch *monarchism *monarchy (from ''monarchie'') *monetary *money (Old Fr ''moneie'') *monition *monobloc *monocle *monogamy (Fr. ''monogamie'') *monogram *monolith *monologue (Fr. ''monologue'') *montage *morgue *mortality *mosaic (Fr. ''mosaïque'') *motif *mot juste *mount *mousse *moustache or mustache, compare ''moustache'' *move (Old Fr. ''moveir'') *movement *muffle *mule, as a type of footwear *murder (Old Fr. ''murdre'') *muscle *mustard, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''moutarde'' *mutton *mystery (Old Fr. ''mistere'') *mystic *mystique ==N== *nacelle *naïve *née or nee, feminine past participle of ''naître'' to be born *Nez perce (Fr. ''Nez percés'' = Pierced noses) *niche *nicotine, from Jean Nicot *noble *noblesse oblige *nonpareil *''nouveau'' *''nouveau riche'' *''nouveau roman'' *nouvelle cuisine *nouvelle vague *novel *novelty *november *novice (Old Fr. ''novice'') *nuance *nuisance *null *nullity (Fr. ''nullité'') *number (Old Fr. ''nombre'') *numerator *numismatic *nun (Old Fr. ''nonne'') *nurse *nurture *nutrition (Fr. ''nutrition'') *nutritive *nymph (Old Fr. ''nimphe'') ==O== *object, from ''objet'' *oboe (via Italian) *œuvre *offend *offense (Fr. ''offense'') *office *officer (Old Fr. ''officier'') *official *ogive (Fr. ''ogive'') *ogre *oil *ointment (Old Fr. ''oignement'') *olive *omelet or omelette, compare ''omelette'' *omission *omnibus *opacity *opal *operation *opinion *opportune *opportunism (Fr.''opportunisme'') *opportunity *oppose *opposite *opposition (Old Fr. ''opposition'') *oppress *oppressive *optative (Fr. ''optatif'') *optician *optimism (Fr. ''optimisme'') *option *oracle (Old Fr. ''oracle'') *orange (word) (Old Fr. ''orenge'') *ordain, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''ordonner'' *order *organic *organism *organize *orgy *origin *original *ornament *ornithopter *orpine *orthography, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''orthographe'' *oubliette ==P== *pachyderm, compare ''pachyderme'' *palace, from ''palais'' *palm, from ''paume'' *pansy (Fr. ''pensée'') *pant (Old Fr. ''pantaisier'') *pantaloon (Fr. ''pantalon'') *panther (Old Fr. pantère) *papier mâché *parade *paragon, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''parangon'' *parent *parentage *parfait *parley *parliament *part *partial, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''partial'' *partisan *passion *passé *passive *passport *paste *pastel *pastiche *pastille *pastor *pasture *pasturage *pasty *pastry *patch *pâté *patent *paternity *pathetic *pathology *patience *patient *patisserie *pause (Old Fr. ''pause'') *pawn *peace *pell-mell *pelt *pen, from ''penne'' (long feather) *penal *pencil *pension *pensive *penthouse (Old Fr. ''apentis'') *people *perchance *perceiver *perch *perdition *perfect *perfection *person *petite *petulant, compare ''pétulant'' *phial *philanthropic (Fr. ''philanthropique'') *philately (Fr. ''philatélie'') *philharmonic *philosophize (Fr. ''philosopher'') *philosophy (Old Fr. filosofie) *philtre (Fr. ''philtre'') *phlebotomy *phlegm *pied à terre *piety from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''piété'' *pipe *pipette *piquant *piqué *piss (Old Fr. ''pisser'') *pistol *pistole *plantation (Old Fr. ''plantation'') *plaque *plash *plastic (Fr. ''plastique'') *''plat du jour'' *plate *plateau *platform (Fr. ''plateforme'') *platoon (Fr. ''peloton'') *platter *plebiscite (Fr. ''plébiscite'') *plea (Old Fr. ''plait'') *please (Old Fr. ''plaisir'') *pleasant (Old Fr. ''plaisant'') *pleasantry (Old Fr. ''plaisanterie'') *pleasure (Old Fr. ''plesir'') *plead *pledge (Old Fr. ''plege'') *plié *plumage *plumb *plumber (Old Fr. ''plommier'') *plume, nom de plume *plural (Old Fr. ''pluriel'') *plurality *''plus ça change'' *plush *pneumatic *poach, as in cookery, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''pocher'' *poem (Fr. ''poème'') *poesy (Old Fr. ''poesie'') *poetic (Fr. ''poétique'') *policy, from ''police'' (as a contract) *populace (Fr. ''populace'') *popular *pork *porous *porpoise *port (Old Fr. ''port'') *portage *porter *portion *portmanteau *pose, compare ''poser'' *position (Old Fr. ''position'') *positive (Old Fr. ''positif'') *posology *possess (Old Fr. ''possesser'') *possibility *possible (Old Fr. ''possible'') *post, compare ''poste'' *poultry *poutine *power (Old Fr. ''poeir'') *practical (Old Fr. ''practique'') *practise *precious *pregnant *prejudice *premier (Fr. = first) *premiere (Fr. ''première'') *prepare *prerogative *presence *present *prêt-à-porter *pretend *pretense *prince *princess *princical *principality (Old Fr. ''principalité'') *principle *print *prison *prize *proof (Old Fr. ''proeve'') *pronoun (Fr. ''pronom'') *pronounce *pronunciation *proper (Old Fr. ''propre'') *property *prophecy (Old Fr. ''profecie'') *prophesy *proportion (Old Fr. ''proportion'') *propose, from ''proposer'' *proposition (Old Fr. ''proposition'') *prorogue *prosaic *prose (Old Fr. ''prose'') *prosecution *protection (Old Fr. ''protection'') *protein *protestation *protocol (Old Fr. ''prothocole'') *proud (Old Fr. ''prud'') *province (Old Fr. ''province'') *provincial *purify *purification (Old Fr. ''purification'') *purpose, form ''propos'' *putty ==Q== *qualify *quality *quantity *quarter *quartet *quartier *quatrain *quatrefoil *quay *queasy *Québécois *quest *question *questionnaire *queue *quiche *quiet *quilt *quintessence *quintuple *quit *quittance *quotidian ==R== *rabble (Fr. râble) *raison d'être *rare *rarefy *rarity *ratatouille *rat *rate *ration *rave *real, from ''réel'' *realm *reason *reasonable *rebound *receipt, from ''un reçu'', ''un récépissé'' *receive (Old Fr. ''receivre'', modern Fr. ''recevoir'') *reception *receptor *recitation *recite *reclaim *regognize *recognizance *recoil *recollection *Récollet *reconnoitre, compare ''reconnaître'' *record *recorder (Old Fr. ''recordeur'') *recover *recovery *recreation *recruit *rector *rectory *regret, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''regretter'' *reign, from ''régnier'' *remain (Old. Fr. ''remaindre'') *remark *remarkable *rendezvous *reservoir *rest *restaurant *restauranteur, compare ''restaurateur'' *resume *résumé *rime *riposte *risqué *rock (Old Fr. ''ro(c)que'') *role, compare ''rôle'' *roll *Roman *romantic *rotisserie *rouge *roué *roulette *round *roundel *rouse *rout (Old Fr. ''route'') *routine *roux *royal (Old Fr. ''roial'') *royalty *rubble *rubric *rush (Old Fr. ''ruser'') *ruse *russet *rut ==S== *sabot *sabotage *saboteur *sachet *sacrament, compare ''sacrement'' *Saint Louis (named for Louis IX) *salon *saloon, compare ''salon'' *satin *sauce *sauté *savage *sauve-qui-peut *savant *savate *save (Anglo-fr. sa(u)ver, Old Fr. salver) *savoir faire *scepter *scholar *science *screw (Old Fr. ''escroue'') *seal *séance *search (Old Fr. ''cerchier'') *season *second *sensitive *sentence (Old Fr. ''sentence'') *sentiment, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''sentiment'' *sentinel *sepal *separable *separation *septilion (from ''sept'' seven) *sepulchre *sepulchral *sequester *serf (Old Fr. ''serf'') *sergeant or serjeant, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''sergent'' *servant *sex *shop (Old Fr. ''ashoppe'') *similitude (Old Fr. ''similitude'') *simple (Old Fr. ''simple'') *skate *slice *slot (Old Fr. ''esclot'') *snye *sober *sobriety *sobriquet *sociable (Fr. ''sociable'') *social (Fr. ''social'') *socialism (Fr. ''socialisme'') *society (Fr. ''société'') *socket *soil *soiree (Fr. ''soirée'') *sojourn (Old Fr. ''sojorn'') *solder *sole *solemnize *solicit (Old Fr. ''solliciter'') *solicitor (Old Fr. ''solliciteur'') *solid *solidarity (Fr. ''solidarité'') *soldier *sombre (Fr. ''sombre'') *sort *soufflé *sound *soupçon *sovereign *sovereignist (Fr. ''souverainiste'') *spirit (Old Fr. ''esprit'') *spiritual *stage, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''stage'' *state *stereotype, compare ''stéréotype'' *story *stray *stress (Old Fr. ''estresse'') *structure (Old Fr. ''structure'') *study *stuff (Old Fr. ''estoffe'', modern Fr. ''étoffe'') *stupid *sturgeon, from ''esturgeon'' *subject, from ''sujet'' *subtle *subtlety *succession *successor *succumb *succour *suffer *sufficient *suit, from Old Fr. ''seoir'' *suitor *superior *superlative *support *suppose *sure *surety *surface *surgeon *surgery *surgical *surmise *surmount *surname *surpass *surplus *surprise *surrender *surrealism (Fr. ''surréalisme'') *suspend *suspense (Fr. ''suspens'') *suspension *sustain *system ==T== *tablature *table *tableau *tablet *tailor, from ''tailleur'' *talc *tally *talon *tambour *tamp *tampon *tapestry *tapis *target *tariff (Fr. ''tarif'') *tarot *tarnish (Fr. ''ternir'') *Tartar (Old Fr. ''Tartare'') *tart, as in cookery, compare ''tarte'' *task *taste *taupe *tax (Old Fr. ''taxer'') *taximeter (Fr. ''taximètre'') *teat *telegraph (Fr. ''télégraphe'') *temporal (Old Fr. ''temporel'') *temporize *tempt (Old Fr. ''tempter'') *tenant *tench (Old Fr. ''tenche'') *tend (Old Fr. ''tend'') *tender *tendon (Fr. ''tendon'') *tennis (Old Fr. ''Tenez'', to start the game) *terrace, from ''terrasse'' *terrible *terror (from ''terrour'') *terrorism (first used during French Revolution) *theatre *theology (Old Fr. ''theologie'') *theorem (Fr. ''théorème'') *therapeutics (Fr. ''thérapeutique'') *thermal *toilet, compare ''toilette'' *tonne *torrid *tortuous *torture *touché *tout de suite or toot sweet, compare ''tout de suite'' *transparent *trial *triangle *tribe *trompe l'œil *troop, from ''troupe'' *tyrant (from Fr. ''tyran'', through Latin ''tyrannus'' and Greek ''turannos'') ==U== *unique *unity *universal *university *universe *usurp *usurper ==V== *veal, from ''veau'' *ventre à terre *verdigris, from ''vert de gris'', the colour of the copper oxide *verdict *Vermont (from ''les verts monts'' the green mountains) *versatile *verse *version *vert *vertical *very *vesper *vest *view *victory *vigour *vile *villain *village *vintage *viol (Old Fr. ''viel(l)e'') *violence *violent *vin (''vin blanc'', ''vin rouge'', ''vin rosé'', etc) *vintage *virgin (Old Fr. ''virgine'') *virginal *virtue *vis-a-vis *visible *visibility *viscount *vogue *voice *voilà *void *volant *volatile *volley *volte-face *voluble *volume *voluntary *volunteer *voluptuous *volute *voodoo (from a West African language) *voyeur ==W== *wage *wager *war, from ''guerre'' *warrant, from ''garantie'' ==X== ==Y== *yogurt (Fr. ''yogourt'', from Turkish ''yogurt'') ==Z== *zebu (the French word is of Tibetan origin) *zone (Fr. ''zone'', from Latin ''zona'', from Greek ''zone'') == See also == * French phrases used by English speakers. Etymology Lists of English words
The way I scanned the dictionary has left this list with some really big holes... it's missing some really obvious words. If only I could think of them. :) User:Fabiform | User talk:Fabiform 19:24, 5 Apr 2004 (UTC) How many of these newly-added words are really from Latin and not from French? User:RickKUser talk:RickK 00:13, 17 May 2004 (UTC) 95% of the time, a Latin word entered English via some period of French. User:Decius 16:54, 28 Apr 2005 (UTC) ==Suggestion== I noticed this list uses various ways of commenting the origin of the word. I think we should standardize it and make it more "dictionary like". I suggest this one syntax: Example: Nation [Middle English ''nacioun'', from Old French ''nation'', from Latin ''natio'', from ''natus'', past participle of ''nascere'', meaning "to be born".] (Compare contemporary French ''nation''.) I welcome all comments. There may be reasons not to go forward this way. I would certainly like to know before I start going over the list... ;-) -- User:Mathieugp 05:36, 2 Jan 2005 (UTC) I think that's an excellent idea. Also, maybe we can take out multiple inflections of words (e.g. absurd, absurdism, absurdity) that clutter up the page. --User:Prsephone1674 00:50, 9 Jan 2005 (UTC) : I agree. We should not have the multiple inflections of the same word as different elements of the list. -- User:Mathieugp 00:28, 10 Jan 2005 (UTC) == Some words I don't recognize == Maybe all of them are French-originated, but I don't recognize the link with French, or don't know the word. Maybe some explanation ? *abet (Old Fr. ''abeter'' from ''beter'' bait) *abstruse (Fr. ''abstruse'') *alabastre (Old Fr. ''alabastre'', Gr. ''alabastros'') *attorney (Old Fr. ''atorné'', from ''atorner'', a 12th century Norman French borrowing) *average (Old Fr. ''avarie'' according to Oxford) *averment (Old Fr. ''averement'') *avouch (Old Fr. ''avochier'') *aye-aye (ultimately from Malaysian ''aiay'') I stop now with the 'A'. Take care, some of the words have not the same meaning in English and in French. That is "trompeur". User:Gwalarn 21:52, 9 Mar 2005 (UTC) :: You have to realize that a lot of these words passed from Norman French to English in the 12th, 13th, 14th etc. centuries. The words have often changed in French or maybe they are no longer used in French and are not even in the current French dictionary. In other words, some of these words are so old that they were only preserved in English, while in French they were altered or supplanted by other terms. :: In the case of aye-aye, we are dealing with a foreign word that was picked up by English speakers from French, but in French it was picked up from another language (in this case Malaysian). This is quite common with Latin words in the English language that were passed to English from French. Note that there is a distinction between a latin word and a word derived from latin. This is important as most words in French are ultimately derived from a subset of the many dialects of vernacular latin spoken in Gaule. :::That's easier to link with these explanations. Thank you. Some precisions. :::*abeter is unknown in my French dictionnary but appears on a site from Quebec as an "uncommon word", and proposes an accent on the firs "e" : abéter. :::*alabastre is now "albâtre" in modern French :::*In the case of averment, I don't find it in my English dictionnaries (Cobuild, Robert & Collins, and WordReference.com). Is it a rare word ? Is it related to "to aver" ? According to the site TLFI http://atilf.atilf.fr/tlf.htm, the French word "avérément" (certainly, really) is a neologism from 1939. I can say that it is no longer used. The word is not old, but has had a short career. I've never heard of it before today. :::*The same pb with "avochier" : avouch is unknown in my dictionnaries, and avochier too, including the TLFI, which is uncommon (all the words from the Middle Age are supposed to be in). What does mean this word ? :::*aye-aye : I discover the name of this small mammal from Madagascar (so : Madagascan and not Malaysian). For TLFI, the etymology is unknown. As Madagascan, it is more logical that this word passed by French speakers than if it was Malaysian. But a rare word, too. :::User:Gwalarn 03:30, 13 Mar 2005 (UTC) I follow my list : *catch (Old Norman Fr. ''cachier'') *cattle (Old Fr. ''chatel'') *cheat (Old Fr. ''achete'' or ''eschete'') *cheer (Old Fr. ''chiere'') *deuce (Old Fr. ''deus'') *endue (Old Fr. ''enduire'') *indicment (Anglo-French ''enditement'')
See other meanings of words starting from letter:
Words begining with List_of_English_words_of_French_origin:
List_of_English_words_of_French_origin
List_of_English_words_of_French_origin
List of English words of French origin
Words of French language origin have entered English language and other languages. Many of those words in turn originate from Latin, and sometimes from Greek language. It is via French that many Latin words have come to the English language. Most of the French vocabulary now appearing in English was imported over the centuries following the Norman Conquest of 1066, when England came under the administration of Norman language peoples. According to English language#Vocabulary, between one third to two thirds of all English words have a French origin. This suggests that at least 30,000 words should appear in this list. Many non-Latin Germanic words have also entered English from the Germanic element in French. Since English is of Germanic origin, ascertaining whether a given Germanic word is definitely from French can be difficult in a few cases. There is a language game that consists in converting French-origin words into Germanic-origin words to make the English language seem ''purer''. Hence, rock becomes stone and pure becomes white. ==A== *abandon [Middle English ''abandounen'', from Old Fr. ''abandoner'', compare Mod. Fr. ''abandonner''] *abase [Middle English ''abassen'', from Old French ''abaissier''] (Compare modern French ''abaisser'') *abash [Middle English ''abaishen'', from Old French ''esbahir''] (Compare contemporary French ''ébahir'') *abatis *abattoir, from ''abattre'' to kill [an animal] or cut down [a tree] *abbatial (Fr. ''abbatial'') *abbey *abbreviation, from ''abréviation'' *abet *abhor (Old Fr. ''abhorrer'') *ability *abjection *ablation (Fr. ''ablation'') *ablative *able, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''habile'' *ablution *abnormal compare ''anormal'' *aboard (Fr. ''à bord'') *abolish, compare ''abolir'' *abomination *abortive *abound *abridge *absence *absolute, from Middle French, compare modern Fr. ''absolu'' *absorb (Fr. ''absorber'') *abstain (Old Fr. ''abstenir'') *abstinence *abstract *abstruse *absurd (Fr. ''absurde'') *abundance (Old Fr. ''abundance'') *abuse *academic (Fr. ''académique'') *academy, compare ''académie'' *Acadia (Fr. ''Acadie'') *acceleration (Fr. ''accélération'') *accent (Fr. ''accent'') *accept *access (Fr. ''accès'') *accession *accident *acclimate (Fr. ''acclimater'') *accolade (Fr. ''accolade'') *accommodation *accompany (Fr. ''accompagner'') *accomplice (Fr. ''complice'') *accomplish (Fr. ''accomplir'') *accord *accost *account *accoutre *accoutrement (Fr. ''accoutrement'') *accredit *accrue *accusation *accusative (Old Fr. ''accusatif'') *accuse *accustom (Old Fr. ''acostumer'', now ''accoutumer'') *ace, compare ''as'' *acid, compare ''acide'' *acoustic, compare ''acoustique'' *aquisitive *acquit *acrobat *acrostic, compare ''acrostiche'' *action *activity, compare ''activité'' *adaptation *adhesive, compare ''adhésif'' or feminine form ''adhésive'' *adieu, which literally means "to God" (à Dieu), farewell *adjective, compare ''adjectif'' *administer *admire, compare ''admirer'' *adolescence *adopt, compare ''adopter'' *adore, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''adorer'' *adroit *advantage, compare ''avantage'' *adventure, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''aventure'' *adverb, compare ''adverbe'' *adversary, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''adversaire'' *advertisement, compare ''avertissement'' (warning) *advise, compare ''aviser'' (to assess [a situation]) *advocate (noun), from Old French ''avocat'' - in modern French this means an attorney or lawyer *affair, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''affaire'' (business) *affection *affiliation *affinity, compare ''affinité'' *affliction *affluence *age *agent provocateur *aggression, compare ''agression'' *à gogo, or a-go-go, in abundance *agreeable, compare ''agréable'' *aide-de-camp *''à la''..., in the style of... *alabaster, from Old French ''alabastre'' (>Latin> Greek> Ancient Egyptian ''a-labaste'') *''à la carte'' *alas, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''hélas'' *alert, compare ''alerte'' *align, compare ''aligner'' *allocation *allure, look or air *almond, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''amande''; compare also Spanish ''almandra'' *altar, from ''autel'' *amateur *ambiguous, from ''ambigu'' *ambition *ambergris, from ''ambre gris'' *ambulance *amnesty, compare ''amnistie'' *amorous, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''amoureux'' *ample *amplitude *amusement *analyse, compare ''analyser'' *anarchism *anarchist (Fr. ''anarchiste'') *anatomy, compare ''anatomie'' *ancestor, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''ancêtre'' *ancient, compare ''ancien'' *angle *Anglophobe, someone who fears England or the English *anglophone, a speaker of English (Fr. ''anglophone'') *anguish (from Old French ''anguisse'', now ''angoisse'') *anise *annals *annex, compare ''annexer'' *annihilation *announce *annoy, from Old French ''ennuyer'' or ''anoier'', compare modern French ''ennui'' *annual *annuity *annular *anoint, compare ''oindre'' *anomie *antecedent, compare ''antécédent'' *anther, compare ''anthère'' *antique *apartment, compare ''appartement'' *apathy, compare ''apathie'' *aplomb *apostrophe *apparel, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''appareil'' *application *appliqué *apprehend, compare ''appréhender'' *après-ski *apropos, compare ''à propos'' *arcade *archetype *area, from ''aire'' *arête, a mountainous ridge *argent (Fr. ''argent'') *argue, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''arguer'' *army, compare ''armée'' *artificial, from ''artificiel'' *artist *assembly *assume, from ''assumer'' (old meaning : to suppose) *assurance *attack *attaché *attorney *attitude *aubergine, British name for eggplant *au naturel *authority *avenue (Fr. ''avenue'') *average *averment *aversion (Fr. ''aversion'') *avert *aviation (Fr. ''aviation'') *avid *avocet *avoid (Old Fr. ''evuider'') *avoirdupois *avouch *avow *axiom (Fr. ''axiome'') *aye-aye *azimuth (from Old French, from Arabic ''as-sumut'') *azure (Old Fr. ''azur'', from Old Spanish ''azur'', from Arabic, in turn from Persian) ==B== *baggage, from Old French ''bagage'' *ballet *band, from ''bande'' *bandeau, a type of headdress *banquet *barge *baron *baroque *barren, from Old French *base *Baton Rouge, Louisiana *battle *bay, compare ''baie'' *bayonet, compare ''baïonnette'' *beagle *beak, compare ''bec'' *Béarnaise, a type of sauce *beau, a lover or a dandy *beauty *beast *beaux arts, fine arts *beef *beret, compare ''béret'' *bête noire *bicycle, compare ''bicyclette'' *bidet *bikini *billet *billet-doux, a love letter *biscuit *bistro *bivouac *bizarre *blanket, from Old French ''blankete'' *blasé *bloc *blonde *boast *boil (Old Fr. ''boilir'') *Boise *bomb *bombard *bombe *bon appétit *bon mot *bonnet, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''bonnet'' *bon-vivant *bon voyage *bon-bon *bouillabaisse *boule *boulevard *bound (leap), from ''bond'' *bouquet *bourgeoisie *bracelet *bran, from Old French ''bran'' or ''bren'' *brandish, compare ''brandir'' *brasserie *brassiere, compare ''brassière'', although the modern French for this is ''soutien-gorge'' *brave *bravery *bravo *bric-à-brac or bric-a-brac *brigade *brilliant, compare ''brillant'' *brioche *briquette *brochure, from ''brocher'' - to stitch *broderie anglaise, a type of embroidery *brunette *buckle, compare ''boucle'' *budget, from Old Fr. ''bougette'' (a little purse) *buffet *bullet, from ''boulette'', although the modern French for this is ''balle'' *bureau *button, from ''bouton'' ==C== *cabal, compare ''cabale'' *cabaret *cadet *café *cafetière *cagoule *cajole, compare ''cajoler'' *calque *camaraderie *camouflage *camp *campaign, compare ''campagne'' *canapé *canard, aeronautical term *to cancel, from ''canceller'', evolution of ''chanceler'' (1293) (to cross out) *capacity *cape, compare ''cap'', land jutting into the sea, as in Cape Horn *captain *car *card, compare ''carte'' *career, compare ''carrière'' *casserole *cassette *castle *castor *casual, compare ''casuel'' *casuist, compare ''casuiste'' *cataclysm *catalogue *catch *category *caterpillar *catholic *cattle *cause *cavalry, compare ''cavalerie'' *celebrate, from ''célébrer'' *cement (Old Fr. ''ciment'') *cense, compare ''encenser'' *censer (Old Fr. ''censier'') *centime (Fr. ''centime'') *centre (Old Fr. ''centre'') *chaise longue or sometimes chaise lounge *chalet *chalice, from ''calice'' *chance *change *character, from ''caractère'' *chase, compare ''chasse'' *château *chatelaine *chattel *chauffeur *chauvinism *cheat *check (Old Fr. ''eschec'') *checkmate, compare ''échec et mat'' *cheer *chef *chemise *chemist, from ''chimiste'' *cherish, from ''chérir'' *cherry, from ''cerise'' *cheval de frise, a military term *cheval-glass, from ''cheval'' - horse *chiffon *chivalry *cinema, compare ''cinéma'' *city, from ''cité'' *claim, from ''clamer'' *clairvoyance *clarinet, compare ''clarinette'' *classic *cliché *cloche, a kind of hat *closet, from Old French ''closet'' *Coeur d'Alene *coiffeuse *collage *collar, from ''collier'', from ''cou'' (neck) *colonel, compare modern Fr. ''colonel'' *combustible *comedian and comedienne, compare ''comédien'' and ''comédienne'' *comic, from ''comique'' (funny) *commandant, commanding officer *commendation *commode *common *communion *communiqué *communism (Fr. ''communisme'') *community, from Old Fr. ''comunalté'', modern Fr. ''communauté'' *company (milit.), from ''compagnie'' *competent *competitor *complete *comrade, from ''camarade'' *concede, from ''concéder'' *congratulations *convenient, from ''convenant'', ''convenable'' *cordon *cormorant, compare ''cormoran'' *cornet *corniche *corps *corset *costume *cotton (Old Fr. 'coton') *council *count *county (Old Fr. ''cunte'') *counter *counterfeit, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''contrefaire'' *country (Old Fr. ''cuntree'') *coup *couple *coupon *courage (Old Fr. ''corage'') *courageous *courgette, in the UK, but called zucchini in the US *courier *course *court *courtesy *couscous *cousin (Old Fr. ''cosin'') *couture *couturier *cover (Old Fr. ''covrir'') *crème brûlée *crème caramel *''crème de menthe'' *crêpe *croupier *crouton *crown, from ''couronne'' *cuisine *cul-de-sac *culotte *cult (Fr. ''culte'') *culture (Fr. ''culture'') *custom, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''coutume'' ==D== *dais, from Old French ''deis'' *dalmatic (Old Fr. ''dalmatique'') *dame *damage *damn (Fr. ''damner'') *déclassé *décolletage *décor or decor *découpage *defamation, from ''diffamation'' *default, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''défaut'' *defeat *déjà vu *de luxe *demi-monde *démodé *denouement *dépanneur *deploy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''déployer'' *derail, compare ''dérailler'' *derive *derogation (Fr. ''dérogation'') *''derrière'' *descend *desert *Des Moines (Fr. ''des moines'' of the monks) *dessert *detachment *detail *detain *''détente'' *determine *detonation *detriment *Detroit (Fr. ''détroit'' = strait) *deuce, from ''deux'' (two) *develop[ment] *deviation *device (Old Fr. ''devis'') *devise *devoid *devotion *devour (Old Fr. ''devorer'') *devout *diabolical *diadem *diamanté *diet *digestion *dignity (Old Fr. ''dignete'') *dilate *diligence *dime (Old Fr. ''disme'') *diplomacy, compare ''diplomatie'' *direction (Fr. ''direction'') *disadvantage *disappoint *disarm (Old Fr. ''desarmer'') *discothèque or discotheque, thus disco *disguise *disport (Old Fr. ''desporter'') *diverse *divinity *division (disambiguation) *Dixie (Fr. ''dix'' ten) *double entendre *dozen, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''douzaine'' *dressage *duvet ==E== *eager, from Old French ''aigre'' *eagle, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''aigle'' *easy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''aisé'' *echelon, compare ''échelon'' *éclair *ecstasy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''extase'' *eloquence, compare ''éloquence'' *emigré *emperor (Old Fr. ''emperere'') *empire *emplacement *employ (Old Fr. ''employer'') *empress *enclave *encore *encourage, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''encourager'' *endive *endue *endure *endurance *enfranchise *engage *enemy, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''ennemi'' *energy (Fr. ''énergie'') *engage, compare ''engager'' *enmity, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''inimitié'' *ennui *enrage, compare ''enrager'' *enrich, compare ''enrichir'' *ensemble *en suite *ensure, from 'assurer'' *entente *enter, compare ''entrer'' *entomb, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''entomber'' *entrant *entrée (but is first part of the meal in French) *entrepreneur (Fr. from ''entreprendre'' undertake) *envelope, compare ''enveloppe'' *environ, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''environs'' *environment[al] *envisage, compare ''envisager'' *envoy, compare ''envoyé'' *envy, compare ''envier'' *epaulet or epaulette, compare ''épaulette'' *épée *ephebe, from ''éphèbe'' *ephemeral, from ''"éphémère'' *epic, from ''épique'' *epicurean, from ''épicurien'' *epidemic, from ''épidémie'' *epilogue *episcopal *episode *epithet, from ''épithète'' *épris *equal, from ''égal'' *equality, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''égalité'' *equation *equilibrate, from ''équilibrer'' *equipage, compare ''équipage'' *équipe *equipment, from ''équipement'' *equitable *equity, from ''équité'' *eradicate, compare ''éradiquer'' *erase, from ''araser'' *erect, from ''ériger'' (to build) *ermine *erode, compare ''éroder'' *escapade *escargot *escarpment *essence *establish (Old Fr. ''establisse'') *estate (Old Fr. ''estat'') *ether *etiquette, ''étiquette'' *Eucharist (Old Fr. ''eucariste'') *European, compare ''européen'' *evangelist, compare ''évangéliste'' *evaporation, compare ''évaporation'' *evasion, compare ''évasion'' *example *exclamation *exhibition, from Old French ''exhibicion'' *expire, compare ''expirer'' *exploit, compare ''exploiter'' *exposé or expose *extraction (Fr. ''extraction'') *extraordinaire *extravagance ==F== *fabric, compare ''fabrique'' *fabulous *face *facile *factor *faience, compare ''faïence'' *failure *fanfare *fantastic *fantasy, compare ''fantaisie'' *farce *farm *fashion, from Old French ''façon'' *fatigue *fault, from ''faute'' *faux pas *feast *feint, compare ''feinte'' *felicity, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''félicité'' *felon, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''félon'' *feminine, compare ''féminin'' *fertility, compare ''fertilité'' *fête *figure *fiancé *fillet, compare ''filet'' *''film noir'' *finance *fine, compare ''fin'' *flageolet *flambé *flan *flèche *fleur-de-lis *flexible *flirt, from ''fleuretter'', ''conter fleurette'' *floret, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''fleurette'' *florin *floss *flourish *flower (Old Fr. ''flour'') *fluid, compare ''fluide'' *folly, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''folie'' *fondant *font (Fr. ''fonte'') *fool (Old Fr. ''fol'') *force majeure *fork, from ''fourche'' and diminutive ''fourchette'' *foreign *forest, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''forêt'' *foyer *fracas *fraction (disambiguation), from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''fraction'' *francophone, a speaker of French (Fr. ''francophone'') *frappé *frigate, compare ''frégate'' *frisson *fritter, compare ''friture'' *frontier *fuselage *fusible *fusion *futile *future, from ''futur'' ==G== *gabardine *gaffe *gallant, compare ''galant'' *gallop, from ''galop'' *galvanize *ganache *gangrene *gangue *garage *garter, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''jarretière'' *gasket *gâteau or gateau *gauche *gay, from ''gai'' (merry, with no sexual meaning) *gel *gelatin(e), from ''gélatine'' *gem, from ''gemme'' *general *generic *generozity *generous *gender, from ''genre'' *genial *genius, from ''génie'' *gent *gentle, from Old Fr. ''gentil'' (both noble and sweet) *genteel *gently, from ''gentiment'' *gesticulation *gesture, from ''geste'' (movement) *giant *gigantism *gigolo *gleet (Old Fr. ''glette'') *glissade *globe (Fr. ''globe'') *global *goblet, from Old Fr. ''gobelet'' (a deep cup) *gondolier *gorge *gorgeous *gouache *gourmet *govern, governance, government, governor *grace *gracious, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''gracieux'' *grammar, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''grammaire'' *grand *grant *gratin *grief *group *gruel, from ''gruau'' *guard, from ''garde'' *guide *guild, from ''guilde'' *guillotine *gulf, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''golfe'' ==H== *harlequin, from ''Arlequin'', a character from the Italian comedy *haste, from OF. (Compare contemporary French ''hâte'') *''haute couture'' high sewing *hazard (Old Fr. ''hasard'') *Hollandaise *honour or honor, Old French, compare modern Fr. ''honneur'' *hors d'œuvre *hotel, compare ''hôtel'' *huge (Old Fr. ''ahuge'') *humanity (Old Fr. ''humanité'') ==I== *illustration *ignore *ignorance *ignorant *imagine *imaginative *immediate *imbecile, compare ''imbécile'' *indictment *infant *influence *influx *inform *information (Old Fr. ''information'') *infrastructure *infusion *ingénue *injustice (from ''injustice'') *insurance, from ''assurance'' *insurgent, from ''insurgé'' *insurmountable, from ''insurmontable'' *insurrection *intact *integer, from ''entier ,intègre'' *integrate, from ''intégrer'' *integrity *integrant *intellect[ual] *intelligence *intention *intercession *interchange *intercourse *interdict *interest *interfere *interlace *intense *intrinsic, compare ''intrinsèque'' *ivory, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''ivoire'' ==J== *jack, Old Fr. ''jaque'' or ''jacque'', a garment, from ''Jacques'', general nickname for peasants who used to wear this garment (see jacket) *jacket, Old Fr. ''jaquette'', diminutive form of ''jaque'' *jade *''j'adoube'' *jargon *jelly *je ne sais quoi *jet (lignite) *jetty *jew, from Old French ''giu'' *jewel, from ''joyau'' *joie de vivre *join, from ''joindre'' *joint *journey, from la ''journée'' [the day] (the distance you may walk or ride within one day) *judge, from ''juge'' *juggle, from ''jongler'' *juggler *justice, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''justice'' ==K== *kepi, compare ''képi'' *kilo *kilogram (Fr. ''kilogramme'') *kilometre (Fr. ''kilomètre'') ==L== *label *labour or labor, compare ''labourer'' *lace *lackey, compare ''laquais'' *laissez-faire *lamé *lancer *lancet *language (Old Fr. ''langage'') *L'Anse aux Meadows (Fr. ''L'anse aux méduses'' : Jellyfish Cove) *large *largess *latrine *launder *laundry *laurel *lave *laver (Fr. ''laveoir'') *lay, literary sense *leisure, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''loisir'' *liaison *lias *libel, from Old Fr. ''un libelle'' (short memorandum) *liberal *liberty (from Old Fr . ''liberté'') *library *license *licorice *lieu *lieutenant *limousine *lingerie *liquor, from ''liqueur'' *litre *lorgnette *Louisiana (Fr. ''Louisiane'' land of Louis XIV) *Louisville, Kentucky (named after Louis XVI) *loupe *love (as used in tennis) *lozenge, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''losange'' *luminary, compare ''luminaire'' *Luster ==M== *machine *madam, from Old French ''ma dame'', my lady *mail *Maine (name of a former French province) *maintain *maintenance *maisonette, compare ''maisonnette'' *maître d'hôtel, also maitre d' or maitre dee *majesty *majority *maladroit *malinger *mange-tout *manger *mannequin *manœuvre or manœuver, compare ''manœuvre'' *mannequin *maquis *mardi gras *marine, compare ''marin'' *marmalade, compare ''marmelade'' *marriage, compare ''mariage'' *marshal, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''maréchal'' *marvel *marvelous, from ''merveilleux'' *mascot *masculine *mask, compare ''masque'' *masque *mass (Old Fr. ''masse'') *massacre, compare ''massacrer'' *massage *masseuse *mathematics *matron *mattress, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''matelas'' *May, compare ''mai'' *Mayday, from ''m'aider'' which means literally ''to help me'' *medal, compare ''médaille'' *mediocre, compare ''médiocre'' *mêlée *memory *ménage à trois *mercy *meridian *merit *merle *merlin *merlon *meringue *mésalliance *mesclun *mess *message *messenger *Messiah (Old Fr. ''Messie'') *messianic (Fr. ''messianique'') *military *mille-feuille *Mille Lacs (USA), means thousand lakes *milliard (Fr. ''milliard'') *million *miniature *mining, as in a coal mine *minister (Old Fr. ''ministre'') *minstrel *mitten, compare ''mitaine'' *modern *modify *module *''moi'' *moil *moist (Old Fr. ''moiste'') *moment (Old Fr. ''moment'') *monad *monarch *monarchism *monarchy (from ''monarchie'') *monetary *money (Old Fr ''moneie'') *monition *monobloc *monocle *monogamy (Fr. ''monogamie'') *monogram *monolith *monologue (Fr. ''monologue'') *montage *morgue *mortality *mosaic (Fr. ''mosaïque'') *motif *mot juste *mount *mousse *moustache or mustache, compare ''moustache'' *move (Old Fr. ''moveir'') *movement *muffle *mule, as a type of footwear *murder (Old Fr. ''murdre'') *muscle *mustard, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''moutarde'' *mutton *mystery (Old Fr. ''mistere'') *mystic *mystique ==N== *nacelle *naïve *née or nee, feminine past participle of ''naître'' to be born *Nez perce (Fr. ''Nez percés'' = Pierced noses) *niche *nicotine, from Jean Nicot *noble *noblesse oblige *nonpareil *''nouveau'' *''nouveau riche'' *''nouveau roman'' *nouvelle cuisine *nouvelle vague *novel *novelty *november *novice (Old Fr. ''novice'') *nuance *nuisance *null *nullity (Fr. ''nullité'') *number (Old Fr. ''nombre'') *numerator *numismatic *nun (Old Fr. ''nonne'') *nurse *nurture *nutrition (Fr. ''nutrition'') *nutritive *nymph (Old Fr. ''nimphe'') ==O== *object, from ''objet'' *oboe (via Italian) *œuvre *offend *offense (Fr. ''offense'') *office *officer (Old Fr. ''officier'') *official *ogive (Fr. ''ogive'') *ogre *oil *ointment (Old Fr. ''oignement'') *olive *omelet or omelette, compare ''omelette'' *omission *omnibus *opacity *opal *operation *opinion *opportune *opportunism (Fr.''opportunisme'') *opportunity *oppose *opposite *opposition (Old Fr. ''opposition'') *oppress *oppressive *optative (Fr. ''optatif'') *optician *optimism (Fr. ''optimisme'') *option *oracle (Old Fr. ''oracle'') *orange (word) (Old Fr. ''orenge'') *ordain, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''ordonner'' *order *organic *organism *organize *orgy *origin *original *ornament *ornithopter *orpine *orthography, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''orthographe'' *oubliette ==P== *pachyderm, compare ''pachyderme'' *palace, from ''palais'' *palm, from ''paume'' *pansy (Fr. ''pensée'') *pant (Old Fr. ''pantaisier'') *pantaloon (Fr. ''pantalon'') *panther (Old Fr. pantère) *papier mâché *parade *paragon, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''parangon'' *parent *parentage *parfait *parley *parliament *part *partial, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''partial'' *partisan *passion *passé *passive *passport *paste *pastel *pastiche *pastille *pastor *pasture *pasturage *pasty *pastry *patch *pâté *patent *paternity *pathetic *pathology *patience *patient *patisserie *pause (Old Fr. ''pause'') *pawn *peace *pell-mell *pelt *pen, from ''penne'' (long feather) *penal *pencil *pension *pensive *penthouse (Old Fr. ''apentis'') *people *perchance *perceiver *perch *perdition *perfect *perfection *person *petite *petulant, compare ''pétulant'' *phial *philanthropic (Fr. ''philanthropique'') *philately (Fr. ''philatélie'') *philharmonic *philosophize (Fr. ''philosopher'') *philosophy (Old Fr. filosofie) *philtre (Fr. ''philtre'') *phlebotomy *phlegm *pied à terre *piety from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''piété'' *pipe *pipette *piquant *piqué *piss (Old Fr. ''pisser'') *pistol *pistole *plantation (Old Fr. ''plantation'') *plaque *plash *plastic (Fr. ''plastique'') *''plat du jour'' *plate *plateau *platform (Fr. ''plateforme'') *platoon (Fr. ''peloton'') *platter *plebiscite (Fr. ''plébiscite'') *plea (Old Fr. ''plait'') *please (Old Fr. ''plaisir'') *pleasant (Old Fr. ''plaisant'') *pleasantry (Old Fr. ''plaisanterie'') *pleasure (Old Fr. ''plesir'') *plead *pledge (Old Fr. ''plege'') *plié *plumage *plumb *plumber (Old Fr. ''plommier'') *plume, nom de plume *plural (Old Fr. ''pluriel'') *plurality *''plus ça change'' *plush *pneumatic *poach, as in cookery, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''pocher'' *poem (Fr. ''poème'') *poesy (Old Fr. ''poesie'') *poetic (Fr. ''poétique'') *policy, from ''police'' (as a contract) *populace (Fr. ''populace'') *popular *pork *porous *porpoise *port (Old Fr. ''port'') *portage *porter *portion *portmanteau *pose, compare ''poser'' *position (Old Fr. ''position'') *positive (Old Fr. ''positif'') *posology *possess (Old Fr. ''possesser'') *possibility *possible (Old Fr. ''possible'') *post, compare ''poste'' *poultry *poutine *power (Old Fr. ''poeir'') *practical (Old Fr. ''practique'') *practise *precious *pregnant *prejudice *premier (Fr. = first) *premiere (Fr. ''première'') *prepare *prerogative *presence *present *prêt-à-porter *pretend *pretense *prince *princess *princical *principality (Old Fr. ''principalité'') *principle *print *prison *prize *proof (Old Fr. ''proeve'') *pronoun (Fr. ''pronom'') *pronounce *pronunciation *proper (Old Fr. ''propre'') *property *prophecy (Old Fr. ''profecie'') *prophesy *proportion (Old Fr. ''proportion'') *propose, from ''proposer'' *proposition (Old Fr. ''proposition'') *prorogue *prosaic *prose (Old Fr. ''prose'') *prosecution *protection (Old Fr. ''protection'') *protein *protestation *protocol (Old Fr. ''prothocole'') *proud (Old Fr. ''prud'') *province (Old Fr. ''province'') *provincial *purify *purification (Old Fr. ''purification'') *purpose, form ''propos'' *putty ==Q== *qualify *quality *quantity *quarter *quartet *quartier *quatrain *quatrefoil *quay *queasy *Québécois *quest *question *questionnaire *queue *quiche *quiet *quilt *quintessence *quintuple *quit *quittance *quotidian ==R== *rabble (Fr. râble) *raison d'être *rare *rarefy *rarity *ratatouille *rat *rate *ration *rave *real, from ''réel'' *realm *reason *reasonable *rebound *receipt, from ''un reçu'', ''un récépissé'' *receive (Old Fr. ''receivre'', modern Fr. ''recevoir'') *reception *receptor *recitation *recite *reclaim *regognize *recognizance *recoil *recollection *Récollet *reconnoitre, compare ''reconnaître'' *record *recorder (Old Fr. ''recordeur'') *recover *recovery *recreation *recruit *rector *rectory *regret, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''regretter'' *reign, from ''régnier'' *remain (Old. Fr. ''remaindre'') *remark *remarkable *rendezvous *reservoir *rest *restaurant *restauranteur, compare ''restaurateur'' *resume *résumé *rime *riposte *risqué *rock (Old Fr. ''ro(c)que'') *role, compare ''rôle'' *roll *Roman *romantic *rotisserie *rouge *roué *roulette *round *roundel *rouse *rout (Old Fr. ''route'') *routine *roux *royal (Old Fr. ''roial'') *royalty *rubble *rubric *rush (Old Fr. ''ruser'') *ruse *russet *rut ==S== *sabot *sabotage *saboteur *sachet *sacrament, compare ''sacrement'' *Saint Louis (named for Louis IX) *salon *saloon, compare ''salon'' *satin *sauce *sauté *savage *sauve-qui-peut *savant *savate *save (Anglo-fr. sa(u)ver, Old Fr. salver) *savoir faire *scepter *scholar *science *screw (Old Fr. ''escroue'') *seal *séance *search (Old Fr. ''cerchier'') *season *second *sensitive *sentence (Old Fr. ''sentence'') *sentiment, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''sentiment'' *sentinel *sepal *separable *separation *septilion (from ''sept'' seven) *sepulchre *sepulchral *sequester *serf (Old Fr. ''serf'') *sergeant or serjeant, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''sergent'' *servant *sex *shop (Old Fr. ''ashoppe'') *similitude (Old Fr. ''similitude'') *simple (Old Fr. ''simple'') *skate *slice *slot (Old Fr. ''esclot'') *snye *sober *sobriety *sobriquet *sociable (Fr. ''sociable'') *social (Fr. ''social'') *socialism (Fr. ''socialisme'') *society (Fr. ''société'') *socket *soil *soiree (Fr. ''soirée'') *sojourn (Old Fr. ''sojorn'') *solder *sole *solemnize *solicit (Old Fr. ''solliciter'') *solicitor (Old Fr. ''solliciteur'') *solid *solidarity (Fr. ''solidarité'') *soldier *sombre (Fr. ''sombre'') *sort *soufflé *sound *soupçon *sovereign *sovereignist (Fr. ''souverainiste'') *spirit (Old Fr. ''esprit'') *spiritual *stage, from Old French, compare modern Fr. ''stage'' *state *stereotype, compare ''stéréotype'' *story *stray *stress (Old Fr. ''estresse'') *structure (Old Fr. ''structure'') *study *stuff (Old Fr. ''estoffe'', modern Fr. ''étoffe'') *stupid *sturgeon, from ''esturgeon'' *subject, from ''sujet'' *subtle *subtlety *succession *successor *succumb *succour *suffer *sufficient *suit, from Old Fr. ''seoir'' *suitor *superior *superlative *support *suppose *sure *surety *surface *surgeon *surgery *surgical *surmise *surmount *surname *surpass *surplus *surprise *surrender *surrealism (Fr. ''surréalisme'') *suspend *suspense (Fr. ''suspens'') *suspension *sustain *system ==T== *tablature *table *tableau *tablet *tailor, from ''tailleur'' *talc *tally *talon *tambour *tamp *tampon *tapestry *tapis *target *tariff (Fr. ''tarif'') *tarot *tarnish (Fr. ''ternir'') *Tartar (Old Fr. ''Tartare'') *tart, as in cookery, compare ''tarte'' *task *taste *taupe *tax (Old Fr. ''taxer'') *taximeter (Fr. ''taximètre'') *teat *telegraph (Fr. ''télégraphe'') *temporal (Old Fr. ''temporel'') *temporize *tempt (Old Fr. ''tempter'') *tenant *tench (Old Fr. ''tenche'') *tend (Old Fr. ''tend'') *tender *tendon (Fr. ''tendon'') *tennis (Old Fr. ''Tenez'', to start the game) *terrace, from ''terrasse'' *terrible *terror (from ''terrour'') *terrorism (first used during French Revolution) *theatre *theology (Old Fr. ''theologie'') *theorem (Fr. ''théorème'') *therapeutics (Fr. ''thérapeutique'') *thermal *toilet, compare ''toilette'' *tonne *torrid *tortuous *torture *touché *tout de suite or toot sweet, compare ''tout de suite'' *transparent *trial *triangle *tribe *trompe l'œil *troop, from ''troupe'' *tyrant (from Fr. ''tyran'', through Latin ''tyrannus'' and Greek ''turannos'') ==U== *unique *unity *universal *university *universe *usurp *usurper ==V== *veal, from ''veau'' *ventre à terre *verdigris, from ''vert de gris'', the colour of the copper oxide *verdict *Vermont (from ''les verts monts'' the green mountains) *versatile *verse *version *vert *vertical *very *vesper *vest *view *victory *vigour *vile *villain *village *vintage *viol (Old Fr. ''viel(l)e'') *violence *violent *vin (''vin blanc'', ''vin rouge'', ''vin rosé'', etc) *vintage *virgin (Old Fr. ''virgine'') *virginal *virtue *vis-a-vis *visible *visibility *viscount *vogue *voice *voilà *void *volant *volatile *volley *volte-face *voluble *volume *voluntary *volunteer *voluptuous *volute *voodoo (from a West African language) *voyeur ==W== *wage *wager *war, from ''guerre'' *warrant, from ''garantie'' ==X== ==Y== *yogurt (Fr. ''yogourt'', from Turkish ''yogurt'') ==Z== *zebu (the French word is of Tibetan origin) *zone (Fr. ''zone'', from Latin ''zona'', from Greek ''zone'') == See also == * French phrases used by English speakers. Etymology Lists of English words
List of English words of French origin
The way I scanned the dictionary has left this list with some really big holes... it's missing some really obvious words. If only I could think of them. :) User:Fabiform | User talk:Fabiform 19:24, 5 Apr 2004 (UTC) How many of these newly-added words are really from Latin and not from French? User:RickKUser talk:RickK 00:13, 17 May 2004 (UTC) 95% of the time, a Latin word entered English via some period of French. User:Decius 16:54, 28 Apr 2005 (UTC) ==Suggestion== I noticed this list uses various ways of commenting the origin of the word. I think we should standardize it and make it more "dictionary like". I suggest this one syntax: Example: Nation [Middle English ''nacioun'', from Old French ''nation'', from Latin ''natio'', from ''natus'', past participle of ''nascere'', meaning "to be born".] (Compare contemporary French ''nation''.) I welcome all comments. There may be reasons not to go forward this way. I would certainly like to know before I start going over the list... ;-) -- User:Mathieugp 05:36, 2 Jan 2005 (UTC) I think that's an excellent idea. Also, maybe we can take out multiple inflections of words (e.g. absurd, absurdism, absurdity) that clutter up the page. --User:Prsephone1674 00:50, 9 Jan 2005 (UTC) : I agree. We should not have the multiple inflections of the same word as different elements of the list. -- User:Mathieugp 00:28, 10 Jan 2005 (UTC) == Some words I don't recognize == Maybe all of them are French-originated, but I don't recognize the link with French, or don't know the word. Maybe some explanation ? *abet (Old Fr. ''abeter'' from ''beter'' bait) *abstruse (Fr. ''abstruse'') *alabastre (Old Fr. ''alabastre'', Gr. ''alabastros'') *attorney (Old Fr. ''atorné'', from ''atorner'', a 12th century Norman French borrowing) *average (Old Fr. ''avarie'' according to Oxford) *averment (Old Fr. ''averement'') *avouch (Old Fr. ''avochier'') *aye-aye (ultimately from Malaysian ''aiay'') I stop now with the 'A'. Take care, some of the words have not the same meaning in English and in French. That is "trompeur". User:Gwalarn 21:52, 9 Mar 2005 (UTC) :: You have to realize that a lot of these words passed from Norman French to English in the 12th, 13th, 14th etc. centuries. The words have often changed in French or maybe they are no longer used in French and are not even in the current French dictionary. In other words, some of these words are so old that they were only preserved in English, while in French they were altered or supplanted by other terms. :: In the case of aye-aye, we are dealing with a foreign word that was picked up by English speakers from French, but in French it was picked up from another language (in this case Malaysian). This is quite common with Latin words in the English language that were passed to English from French. Note that there is a distinction between a latin word and a word derived from latin. This is important as most words in French are ultimately derived from a subset of the many dialects of vernacular latin spoken in Gaule. :::That's easier to link with these explanations. Thank you. Some precisions. :::*abeter is unknown in my French dictionnary but appears on a site from Quebec as an "uncommon word", and proposes an accent on the firs "e" : abéter. :::*alabastre is now "albâtre" in modern French :::*In the case of averment, I don't find it in my English dictionnaries (Cobuild, Robert & Collins, and WordReference.com). Is it a rare word ? Is it related to "to aver" ? According to the site TLFI http://atilf.atilf.fr/tlf.htm, the French word "avérément" (certainly, really) is a neologism from 1939. I can say that it is no longer used. The word is not old, but has had a short career. I've never heard of it before today. :::*The same pb with "avochier" : avouch is unknown in my dictionnaries, and avochier too, including the TLFI, which is uncommon (all the words from the Middle Age are supposed to be in). What does mean this word ? :::*aye-aye : I discover the name of this small mammal from Madagascar (so : Madagascan and not Malaysian). For TLFI, the etymology is unknown. As Madagascan, it is more logical that this word passed by French speakers than if it was Malaysian. But a rare word, too. :::User:Gwalarn 03:30, 13 Mar 2005 (UTC) I follow my list : *catch (Old Norman Fr. ''cachier'') *cattle (Old Fr. ''chatel'') *cheat (Old Fr. ''achete'' or ''eschete'') *cheer (Old Fr. ''chiere'') *deuce (Old Fr. ''deus'') *endue (Old Fr. ''enduire'') *indicment (Anglo-French ''enditement'')
See other meanings of words starting from letter:
L
LA | LB | LC | LD | LE | LF | LG | LH | LI | LJ | LK | LM | LN | LO | LP | LR | LS | LT | LU | LW | LX | LY | LZ |Words begining with List_of_English_words_of_French_origin:
List_of_English_words_of_French_origin
List_of_English_words_of_French_origin
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