French–English dictionary

percée

(entertainment, idiomatic) A breakthrough, especially the first big hit of a previously unknown performer or performers in the entertainment industry.

percepteur

A person who is employed to collect payments.

perceptible

Able to be perceived, sensed, or discerned.

percer

(intransitive) To obtain a level of success or fame; to succeed.

percer un tonneau

(transitive) To make a hole in, especially a cask of liquor, and put in a tap in order to draw the liquid.

perceuse

The portion of a drilling tool that drives the bit.

percevoir

(transitive) To get; particularly, get from someone.

perche

(anatomical, informal) The principal stem of the antler of a deer.

perche de mer

A highly appreciated marine food fish found in the coastal waters of eastern Atlantic from Cape Verde to southern Norway and in the Mediterranean, (Dicentrarchus labrax).

percher

(transitive) To place something on (or as if on) a perch.

perchoir

A rod, staff, tree branch, ledge, etc., used as a roost by a bird.

percipient

(parapsychology) One who has perceived a paranormal event.

percolat

(rare) A liquid that has been percolated.

percolation

The seepage or filtration of a liquid through a porous substance.

percoler

(transitive) To pass a liquid through a porous substance; to filter.

percussion

(music) The section of an orchestra or band containing percussion instruments; such instruments considered as a group; in bands, may be separate from drum kits.

percussionniste

A trained musician who plays percussion instruments, as opposed to a drummer who lacks formal training.

percutant

Having impact. [from c. 1940]

percuter

(intransitive) To impact directly, especially if violent.

Percy

An English surname from Old French.

perdant

A person who loses; one who fails to win or thrive.

perdante

A person who loses; one who fails to win or thrive.

perdre

(transitive, figuratively, especially of an ice shelf, a glacier, an ice sheet, or even an iceberg) To shed (a large piece, e.g. an iceberg); to set loose (a mass of ice), e.g. a block of ice (coming off an iceberg).

perdreau

(ornithology) Any bird of a number of genera in the family Phasianidae, notably in the genera Perdix and Alectoris.

perdrix

(ornithology) Any bird of a number of genera in the family Phasianidae, notably in the genera Perdix and Alectoris.

perdu

(idiomatic) Not sure; uncertain; lacking further ideas, direction, or ability.

perdurer

(intransitive) To continue or carry on, despite obstacles or hardships; to persist.

Père

(Christianity) One of the chief ecclesiastical authorities of the first centuries after Christ.

péremption

(legal) Inaction, passivity, or neglect to take legal action when it is called for in order to assert, preserve, or safeguard a right, and which inaction implies the abandonment of said right.

péremptoire

(legal) Precluding debate or expostulation; not admitting of question or appeal

pérenne

Lasting or remaining active throughout the year, for multiple years, or all the time.

pérenniser

(transitive) To make (something) perpetual; to make (something) continue for an indefinite time; also, to preserve (something) from extinction or oblivion.

perfection

The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that nothing substandard remains; the highest attainable state or degree of excellence.

perfectionner

(transitive) To make perfect; to improve or hone.

perfectionnisme

An unwillingness to settle for anything less than perfection.

perfectionniste

(philosophy) Inclined or related to perfectionism.

perfide

Of, pertaining to, or representing perfidy; disloyal to what should command one's fidelity or allegiance. [from late 16th c.]

perfidie

A state or act of violating faith or allegiance; violation of a promise or vow, or of trust.

perforation

Any opening in a solid object.

perforer

(transitive) To make a hole in, especially a cask of liquor, and put in a tap in order to draw the liquid.

performance

The amount of useful work accomplished estimated in terms of time needed, resources used, etc.

performant

Performing well; Capable of or characterized by a high or excellent level of performance or efficiency.

performer

(intransitive) To exhibit an expected pattern of behavior; to function; to work.

perfusion

The act of perfusing, the passage of fluid through the circulatory system.

pergélisol

Permanently frozen ground, or a specific layer thereof.

péri

(Iranian mythology) A sprite or supernatural being.

péricarde

(anatomy, cardiology) A serous membrane that surrounds the heart allowing it to contract.

péricardique

(cardiology) Of, or relating to the pericardium.

péricléen

Of or relating to Pericles, an Ancient Greek politician, or to the golden age of art and literature in Athens.

Périclès

(historical) An Ancient Greek politician.

péricliter

(intransitive) To become weaker or worse.

périculeux

Full of danger.

péridurale

(medicine) An injection of anaesthetic into the epidural space of the spine, especially associated with pain relief during childbirth.

périégèse

A description of an area or territory.

périhélie

(astronomy) The point in the elliptical orbit of a comet, planet, etc., where it is nearest to the Sun.

péril

Exposure to likely harm; peril.

périlleux

Full of danger.

périmé

Out of date, old-fashioned, antiquated.

périmer

(intransitive) To lapse and become invalid.

période

A particular period of history, or of a person's life, especially one considered noteworthy or remarkable.

période d'essai

A period of time when a person occupies a position only conditionally and may be removed if certain conditions are not met.

période de Noël

Christmas season; Christmastide; yuletide

périodique

A regularly issued thematic publication that contains the most current information in its field, often the primary means for communication of original scholarship or creative work at the cutting edge of research in its field.

périodiquement

In a manner that is regular or periodic.

péripatéticienne

(informal, derogatory) A prostitute who looks for customers on the streets and in other public places.

périphérique

(uncomparable) Of, relating to, or located at or near a margin or edge; also figurative usages of location and margin (edge).

périphraser

(ambitransitive) To restate something as, or to compose a paraphrase. To repeat a written or spoken phrase/quote using different words, often in a simpler and shorter form, or sometimes in a humorous context.

périr

To perish; to cease to exist; to become lost or extinct.

périscolaire

Outside of the normal curriculum of an educational establishment.

périscope

A form of viewing device that allows the viewer to see things at a different height level and usually with minimal visibility.

périscopique

Relating to periscopes and their use.

périssable

Liable to perish, especially naturally subject to quick decomposition or decay.

péristaltisme

(medicine) The rhythmic, wave-like contraction and relaxation of muscles so as to propagate motion, as of food in the digestive tract.

perle

Each in a string of small balls making up the rosary or paternoster. [from 14thc.]

perlure

One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.

Perm

A city, the administrative center of Perm Krai, Russia.

permafrost

Permanently frozen ground, or a specific layer thereof.

permanence

A pre-arranged time when a person whose occupation frequently takes them away from their office during working hours is available in their office to answer questions or provide assistance without the requirement for an appointment.

permanent

Continuing for a long period; eternal.

permanente

Persisting for an extended period of time.

permanenter

To give hair a perm, using heat, chemicals etc.

perméable

(by extension) Allowing the passage of persons, information, or other things, especially when such passage occurs despite hopes or expectations otherwise.

permettre

To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; (usually, after an expression of ability, as could, able, difficult) to be able or rich enough; to spare.

Permien

(geology) The Permian period. [from 19th c.]

permis

All right, acceptable, permitted.

permissif

Lax; not strict; tolerant of dissent or deviation.

permission

A permission for a vehicle to proceed, or for a person to travel.

pernicieux

Causing much harm in a subtle way.

pernocter

(rare) To work diligently by artificial light; to study at night.

pérogy

(North America) A square- or crescent-shaped dumpling of unleavened dough, stuffed with sauerkraut, cheese, mashed potatoes, cabbage, onion, meat, or any combination of these, or with a fruit filling.

pérorer

To speak formally; to give a speech.

Pérou

A country in South America. Official name: Republic of Peru. Capital and largest city: Lima.

pérovskite

(mineral) A minor accessory mineral, CaTiO3, occurring in basic rocks, as orthorhombic crystals.

peroxyde

(inorganic chemistry) A divalent radical or anion containing two oxygen atoms linked by a covalent bond; any substance containing this group yields hydrogen peroxide when treated with an acid.

perpendiculaire

(geometry) At or forming a right angle (to something).

perpétrer

(transitive) To be guilty of, or responsible for a crime etc; to commit.

perpétuation

The act of prolonging existence, of keeping something alive or active.

perpétuel

Having no end.

perpétuellement

Seeming to never end; endlessly; constantly.

perpétuer

(transitive) To make (something) perpetual; to make (something) continue for an indefinite time; also, to preserve (something) from extinction or oblivion.

perpétuité

(uncountable) The quality or state of being perpetual; endless duration; uninterrupted existence.

perplexe

Thoroughly confused, puzzled

perplexité

The state of being bewildered.

perron

(architecture, chiefly, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, also, Canada) The staircase and landing or porch leading to the entrance of a residence.

perroqueter

(transitive) To repeat (exactly what has just been said) without necessarily showing understanding, in the manner of a parrot.

perruche

(nautical) A small, light sail located high on a mast (above the skysail) and used for speed.

perruche ondulée

A species of small green parakeet, Melopsittacus undulatus, native to inland Australia; a common cagebird throughout the world and bred in many colour varieties.

perrucher

(transitive) To repeat (exactly what has just been said) without necessarily showing understanding, in the manner of a parrot.

perruque

A false substitute for a person's hair; a toupee or wig.

persan

(historical, countable) A person from Persia.

Persane

(historical, countable) A person from Persia.

Perse

Persia proper (Persis), the land of the ancient Persians, corresponding to modern-day Fars province in southwestern Iran.

persécuter

To pursue in a manner to do harm or cruelty to; especially, because of the victim's race, sexual identity, or adherence to a particular belief.

persécution

The act of persecuting, especially a specific group of people; an instance of persecution.

Perséphone

(Greek god) A minor deity, the queen of the Underworld/Hades, and goddess of the seasons and vegetation. Originally named Kore/Core, she is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter; and the wife of Hades. Her Roman counterpart is Proserpina.

persévérance

Continuing in a course of action without regard to discouragement, opposition or previous failure.

persévérant

Tending to persevere.

persévérer

(intransitive) To persist steadfastly in pursuit of an undertaking, task, journey, or goal, even if hindered by distraction, difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement.

persienne

A movable covering for a window to keep out light, made of cloth or of narrow slats that can block light or allow it to pass.

persil

(slang, vulgar) A person's pubic hair, especially a woman's. [from 1745]

persistance

The property of being persistent.

persistant

Of plants, especially trees, that do not shed their leaves seasonally.

persister

(intransitive) To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.

persona

(psychology) The mask or appearance one presents to the world.

persona non grata

A person who is not welcome, especially a diplomat in a foreign country.

personnage

(countable) A being involved in the action of a story; a persona.

personnage comique

(literature) A stock character typified by unintelligence, naïveté or lucklessness, usually as a form of comic relief; often used as a source of insight or pathos for the audience, as such characters are generally less bound by social expectations.

personnalisation

The act of customizing something.

personnalisé

Made or done in a way adjusted to the needs of a specific person or group (e.g., customer, health care patient, do-it-yourselfer), and thus specialized and, in some cases, unique.

personnaliser

To adapt something to the needs or tastes of an individual.

personnalité

A person or thing representing a certain consciousness.

personne

Any person; anybody.

personne à charge

A person who relies on another for support or sustenance, particularly financial support.

personne âgée

(now, chiefly, US) An old person.

personne d'affaires

A person in business, or one who works at a commercial institution.

personne de couleur

(South Africa) A person having ancestry from more than one of the racial groups of Southern Africa (black, white, and Asian); a colored person.

personne de substitution

A person or animal that acts as a substitute for the social or pastoral role of another, such as a surrogate parent.

personne efféminée

(by extension, usually, pejorative) An effeminate man.

personne greffée

(medicine) A person receiving donor organs or tissues.

personnel

Done in person; without an intermediary.

personnelle

Belonging or pertaining to an individual person, group of people, or entity that is not the state.

personnification

(internet, video games) A complex and dynamic digital representation of a person or being in the form of a digital model, used online as a simulation or emulation of a person, or as a person's online alter ego, in a virtual world, virtual chat room, or metaverse.

perspectif

Of, in or relating to perspective.

perspicace

(obsolete) Perceptive; quick to learn; capable of understanding using one's intellect.

perspicacité

The quality of being astute.

persuader

To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.

persuasif

Reasonable and convincing; based on evidence.

persuasion

The act of persuading, or trying to do so; the addressing of arguments to someone with the intention of changing their mind or convincing them of a certain point of view, course of action etc. [from 14th c.]

persuasivement

In a manner intended to convince or persuade.

perte

An undesirable fate; an impending severe occurrence or danger that seems inevitable.