French

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Pronunciation: /fɹɛnt͡ʃ/

Definitions

1. Of or relating to France, its people, or their language
2. Relating to the nation of France, its culture, or the Romance language spoken primarily there
3. Pertaining to the country of France, its inhabitants, or the language that is predominantly spoken there

Etymology: The English word "French" carries the name of a people, not a country. Old English "Frencisc" meant "of the Franks, Frankish," and the Franks were a Germanic people who gave their name to the territory they settled, later France. The word's roots run back to "Franca," meaning "a Frank," and that name is linked to "franca," an Old English word for "javelin" or "spear." The Franks were known for their use of such weapons, so their name is often connected to them. Over the centuries, the sense narrowed. "Frencisc" first described anything Frankish, but as the Frankish kingdom developed into the country we now call France, the adjective shifted to mean the language and culture of that land. Middle English "French," "Frensch," and "Frensh" show the word gradually settling into its modern form.

Synonyms: francophone, Gallic