The puppy managed to purloin [pərˈlɔɪn] a few cookies from the plate when no one was looking.purloin [pərˈlɔɪn]
verb
To purloin is to take something that belongs to someone else—that is, to steal it. Purloin is much more formal-sounding than steal, but is often—though not always—encountered in humorous contexts, suggesting that the theft is not serious.
from the Anglo-French verb purluigner, meaning “to prolong, postpone, or set aside.” English Apr 15, 2024, 6:53 AM cowpoke
フランス語はフランスだけでなくカナダでも話されています。French is spoken in Canada as well as in France. Apr 13, 2024, 12:23 AM machko
"Pet owners can have a tougher time finding apartments because of the surfeit [ˈsɜrfɪt]of landlords who don't allow dogs, cats or other animals in their buildings." — Andrew J. Campa, The Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024surfeit [ˈsɜrfɪt]
noun
Formal word - refers to an amount or supply that is too much or more than you need.
synonymous: excess.
from Latin through Anglo-French English Apr 12, 2024, 9:04 AM cowpoke
The refugees gathered in a hilly redoubt [rɪˈdaʊt] several miles from the outskirts of town.redoubt [rɪˈdaʊt]
noun
Redoubt can refer specifically to a small building or area that provides soldiers with protection from attack, or more broadly to any safe or protected place, whether literal or figurative.
Redoubt actually comes to us (via the French word redoute and the Italian word ridotto) from a different Latin verb—reducere, meaning "to lead back," the same root that gives us reduce. English Apr 6, 2024, 10:42 AM cowpoke
I have been studying French for two years.J'étudie le français depuis deux ans. Apr 2, 2024, 6:32 AM 8hbw5g584c
I'm learning French because I want to travel to France.J'apprends le français parce que je veux voyager en France. Apr 2, 2024, 6:32 AM 8hbw5g584c
Pouvez-vous répéter s'il vous plaît ?Can you repeat that please? French Apr 2, 2024, 6:17 AM 8hbw5g584c
Je suis désolé. je ne comprends pas.I'm sorry. I don't understand. French Apr 2, 2024, 6:17 AM 8hbw5g584c
"Half of the workforce was laid off, but those whose roles turned out to be somewhat critical were then begged to return. Some unlucky engineers were dragooned [drəˈɡun] into launching the new Twitter Blue feature, which would charge users $7.99 per month for a 'verified' check mark; the rollout was catastrophic." — Sheon Han, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2024dragoon [drəˈɡun]
1) When used with into, dragoon means "to force or convince someone to do something."
2) WITHOUT into, dragoon means "to subjugate or persecute by harsh use of troops."
History has recorded the dragonish nature of the dragoons who persecuted the French Protestants in the 17th century during the reign of Louis XIV. English Mar 22, 2024, 9:19 AM cowpoke
The press secretary made a point at the briefing not to address the scurrilous [ˈskɜrələs] rumors surrounding the senator.scurrilous [ˈskɜrələs]
adj
1) Formal adjective that most often describes language that contains obscenities, abuse, or, especially, slander (诽谤)—that is, a false statement that damages a person’s reputation.
2) Scurrilous can also describe someone who uses or tends to use scurrilous language, or it can describe a person or thing as evil or vulgar.
from the Middle French word scurrile, which comes ultimately from the Latin noun scurra, meaning “buffoon” or “jester.” English Mar 21, 2024, 6:16 AM cowpoke
Consumer advocates allege [əˈlɛdʒ] that the company knew about the faulty switches but sold the product anyway.allege [əˈlɛdʒ]
verb
To allege something is to assert it without proof or before proving it.
from the Middle English verb alleggen, meaning "to submit (something) in evidence or as justification." (Alleggen traces back to the Anglo-French word aleger, meaning "to lighten, free, or exculpate.") English Mar 19, 2024, 6:54 AM cowpoke
Banc d'Arguin [bɑ̃k daʁ.ɡɛ̃] National Park - Mauritania (French)
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/506Fringing the Atlantic coast, the park comprises sand-dunes, coastal swamps, small islands and shallow coastal waters. The contrast between the harsh desert environment and the biodiversity of the marine zone has resulted in a land- and seascape of outstanding natural significance. A wide variety of migrating birds spend the winter there. Several species of sea turtle and dolphin, used by the fishermen to attract shoals of fish, can also be found. 2024-03-16 WHS Mar 16, 2024, 9:36 AM cowpoke
The young singer paid obeisance [əˈbeɪsəns] to Otis Redding while on tour in Memphis by singing “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay.obeisance [əˈbeɪsəns]
noun
Obeisance is a synonym of homage that refers to an acknowledgement of another’s importance or superiority. Obeisance can also mean “a movement of the body (such as a bow) showing respect for someone or something.”
traced back to the Anglo-French word obeir, a verb meaning “to obey” that is also an ancestor of English’s obey. English Mar 10, 2024, 10:23 AM cowpoke
Manovo-Gounda St Floris [ma.no.vo ɡun.da sɛ̃ flɔ.ʁis] National Park - Central African Republic (French and Sango)
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/475The importance of this park derives from its wealth of flora and fauna. Its vast savannahs are home to a wide variety of species: black rhinoceroses, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, red-fronted gazelles and buffalo, while various types of waterfowl are to be found in the northern floodplains. 2024-03-09 WHS Mar 9, 2024, 8:48 AM cowpoke
Blenheim [ˈblɛnhaɪm] Palace - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/425Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, stands in a romantic park created by the famous landscape gardener 'Capability' Brown. It was presented by the English nation to John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, in recognition of his victory in 1704 over French and Bavarian troops. Built between 1705 and 1722 and characterized by an eclectic style and a return to national roots, it is a perfect example of an 18th-century princely dwelling. 2024-02-29 WHS Feb 29, 2024, 8:07 AM cowpoke
"Royal Island, a swanky Caribbean oasis in The Bahamas, awaits its next king or queen and their lucky retinue [ˈrɛt.ɪˌnjuː] of family and friends." — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 Jan. 2024retinue [ˈrɛt.ɪˌnjuː]
noun
A retinue is a group of helpers, supporters, or followers.
Retinue comes via Middle English from the Anglo-French verb retenir, meaning "to retain or keep in one's pay or service." English Feb 26, 2024, 8:25 AM cowpoke
After a disastrous rafting trip, Robin emerged from the woods looking haggard [ˈhæɡərd] but otherwise unscathed.haggard [ˈhæɡərd]
adj
Someone described as haggard appears tired or thin especially as if because of hunger, worry, or pain. Haggard can also describe someone who looks wild or otherwise disheveled.
traditionally, falconers trained wild birds that were either taken from the nest when quite young or trapped as adults. A bird trapped as an adult is termed a haggard, from the synonymous Middle French word hagard. English Feb 22, 2024, 9:18 AM cowpoke
The exhibit chronicles the long history of lampooning [læmˈpun] public figures in cartoons.lampoon [læmˈpun]
verb
To lampoon someone or something is to ridicule that person or thing, especially through the use of harsh satire.
from the French word lampon, which likely originated from lampons, a form of the verb lamper, meaning "to drink to the bottom." English Feb 21, 2024, 8:34 AM cowpoke
Statue of Liberty - United States of America
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/307Made in Paris by the French sculptor Bartholdi, in collaboration with Gustave Eiffel (who was responsible for the steel framework), this towering monument to liberty was a gift from France on the centenary of American independence. Inaugurated in 1886, the sculpture stands at the entrance to New York Harbour and has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States ever since. 2024-01-31 WHS Jan 31, 2024, 8:53 AM cowpoke
Historic District of Old Québec - Canada
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/300Québec was founded by the French explorer Champlain in the early 17th century. It is the only North American city to have preserved its ramparts, together with the numerous bastions, gates and defensive works which still surround Old Québec. The Upper Town, built on the cliff, has remained the religious and administrative centre, with its churches, convents and other monuments like the Dauphine Redoubt, the Citadel and Château Frontenac. Together with the Lower Town and its ancient districts, it WHS Jan 30, 2024, 7:47 AM cowpoke