French–English dictionary

Philippines

A country in Southeast Asia. Official name: Republic of the Philippines. Capital: Manila.

philippique

(by extension) Any tirade or declamation full of bitter condemnation.

Philistin

(historical) Originating from ancient Philistia; of or pertaining to the ancient Philistines.

Philistine

(historical) A non-Semitic person from ancient Philistia, a region in the southwest Levant in the Middle East.

philogynie

Love or fondness for women.

philologie

(philosophy, rare) Love and study of learning and literature, broadly speaking.

philologique

(linguistics) Pertaining to historical linguistics.

philologue

A person who engages in philology (historical linguistics), especially as a profession; a collector of words and their etymologies.

Philomène

A en given name.

philosophiquement

In a philosophical manner.

phishing

The act of circumventing security with an alias.

phlébotomie

The opening of a vein, either to withdraw blood or for letting blood; venesection.

phléole

Other species of genus Phleum.

phloème

(botany) A vascular tissue in land plants primarily responsible for the distribution of sugars and nutrients manufactured in the shoot.

phlox

Any flowering plant of the genus Phlox.

phlyctène

A small bubble between the layers of the skin that contains watery or bloody fluid and is caused by friction and pressure, burning, freezing, chemical irritation, disease, or infection.

pho

A Vietnamese soup with a beef base, typically served with rice noodles and optionally beef or chicken.

phobie

An irrational, abnormal, or obsessive fear (of something).

Phœbé

A en given name.

Phoenix

A white variety of grape of German origin used for winemaking.

phone

(acoustics) A unit of apparent loudness, equal in number to the intensity in decibels of a 1,000-hertz tone judged to be as loud as the sound being measured.

phonème

(phonology) An indivisible unit of sound in a given language. A phoneme is an abstraction of the physical speech sounds (phones) and may encompass several different phones.

phoner

(ambitransitive) To call (someone) using a telephone.

phonographie

The transcription of speech using symbols.

phoque

Any of the seals in the taxonomic family Phocidae characterized by lacking external ear flaps; true seals.

phosphate

(chemistry) Any salt or ester of phosphoric acid.

phosphore

(chemistry) a chemical element (symbol P) with an atomic number of 15, that exists in several allotropic forms.

phosphorique

(chemistry) Pertaining to the element phosphorus; containing phosphorus, especially in its higher valency (5). [from 18th c.]

phosphure

(chemistry) Any binary compound of phosphorus, especially one in oxidation state −3.

photo

(photography) A picture created by projecting an image onto a photosensitive surface such as a chemically treated plate or film, CCD receptor, etc.

photo-

light, electromagnetic radiation

photocopie

A copy made using a photocopier.

photocopieur

A machine which reproduces documents by photographing the original over a glass plate and printing duplicates.

photocopieuse

A machine which reproduces documents by photographing the original over a glass plate and printing duplicates.

photogénique

Looking good when photographed.

photogramme

A photograph made without using a camera; normally by placing an object in contact with photosensitive paper and exposing it to light

photographe

(photography) One who takes photographs, typically as an occupation.

photographie

(photography) A picture created by projecting an image onto a photosensitive surface such as a chemically treated plate or film, CCD receptor, etc.

photographier

(transitive) To take a photograph of.

photographique

Pertaining to photographs or photography.

photojournaliste

A journalist who uses photojournalism.

photon

(particle) The quantum of light and other electromagnetic energy, regarded as a discrete particle having zero rest mass, no electric charge, and an indefinitely long lifetime. It is a gauge boson.

photonique

of, or relating to photons or to photonics

photoseur

(photography) One who takes photographs, typically as an occupation.

photoshopé

Of an image, digitally edited or altered.

photoshoper

(trademark, media, computing, usually, transitive) To digitally edit or alter (a picture or photograph).

photosynthèse

(biochemistry, organic chemistry) Any process by which plants and other photoautotrophs convert light energy into chemical energy.

phrase

A short written or spoken expression.

phrase de passe

(computing) A password that comprises a whole phrase.

phrase fétiche

A repeated expression, often originating in popular culture.

phrase secrète

(computing) A password that comprises a whole phrase.

phraséologie

Study of set or fixed expressions.

phraser

(transitive, music) To divide into melodic phrases.

phraseur

Tediously lengthy; dwelling on trivial details.

phyllophage

(biology) A herbivore that eats mostly foliage.

phylogenèse

Evolutionary development of a species.

phylogénie

(biology, systematics) The study of the evolutionary history and relationships among or within groups of organisms, through computational methods that focus on observed heritable traits.

phylum

(taxonomy) A rank in the classification of organisms, below kingdom and above class; also called a divisio or a division, especially in describing plants; a taxon at that rank

physicien

A person whose occupation specializes in the science of physics, especially at a professional level.

physicienne

A person whose occupation specializes in the science of physics, especially at a professional level.

physio

(informal) A member of security personnel employed by bars, nightclubs, etc. to decide who can enter, maintain order, and deal with patrons who cause trouble.

physiognomonie

The art or pseudoscience of deducing the predominant temper and other characteristic qualities of the mind from the outward appearance, especially from the features of the face.

physiologie

A branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved.

physiologique

Of, or relating to physiology.

physionomie

(in expressions such as make a face) A distorted facial expression; an expression of displeasure, insult, etc.

physique

The branch of science concerned with the study of the properties and interactions of space, time, matter and energy.

phytoplancton

Plankton, especially those small in size, that obtain energy by photosynthesis.

pi-ième

(mathematics) The ordinal form of the number pi (π; approximately 3.14159…).

piaf

A bird of the species Passer domesticus, native to much of Eurasia, introduced in many other temperate environments.

piaillement

A short, sharp or high note or noise, as of a bird or insect.

piailler

Of a small bird, to make short, high-pitched sounds.

pianissimo

(music) Indicating that the piece is to be played very softly.

pianiste

(musician) A person who plays the piano, particularly with skill or as part of an orchestra.

piano

(musical instruments) A percussive keyboard musical instrument, usually ranging over seven octaves, with white and black colored keys, played by pressing these keys, causing hammers to strike strings. [from 1803]

pianofortiste

(music) A person who plays the pianoforte.

piasse

(US, Australia, NZ, Canada, informal) A dollar (one hundred cents).

piaule

A room in a house, apartment, hotel, or other dwelling where a bed is kept for sleeping.

pic

A point; the sharp end or top of anything that terminates in a point; as, the peak, or front, of a cap.

pic-vert

Any bird of species-rich family Picidae, with a strong pointed beak suitable for pecking holes in wood.

picador

(bullfighting) A lancer mounted on horseback who assists a matador.

picard

Of, from or relating to Picardy, a cultural region part of the administrative region of Hauts-de-France, France.

piccolo

A piccolo flute A transverse flute that is smaller than a Western concert flute and pitched nearly an octave higher.

pichenette

(archaic) The action of holding the tip of a finger against the thumb and then releasing it with a snap; a flick.

pichet

A kind of widemouthed pitcher or jug with a shape like a vase and a handle. Originally used for carrying water

pickles

(often, in the plural) Any vegetable preserved in vinegar and consumed as relish.

pickpocket

One who steals from the pocket of a passerby, usually by sleight of hand.

picnic

The meal eaten at such a gathering.

pico-

In the International System of Units and other metric systems of units, multiplying the unit to which it is attached by 10−12 (short scale trillionth or long scale billionth).

picole

(colloquial, uncountable) Any alcoholic beverage (especially beer or hard liquor).

picoler

(slang, intransitive) To drink alcohol.

picoleur

A habitual drinker, especially one who is frequently intoxicated.

picotement

A prickling or mildly stinging sensation; frisson.

picoter

(intransitive, stative) To feel itchy; to feel a need to be scratched.

picotin

One quarter of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts; equal to approximately 9092 cubic centimeters in the imperial system or 8810 cubic centimeters in the U.S. system.

pictogramme

A picture that represents a word or an idea by illustration.

pidgin

(linguistics) An amalgamation of two disparate languages, used by two populations having no common language as a lingua franca to communicate with each other, lacking formalized grammar and having a small, utilitarian vocabulary and no native speakers.

PIE

(linguistics, anthropology, etc.) Initialism of Proto-Indo-European.

pie bavarde

A well-known black-and-white corvid species, Pica pica, of Eurasian distribution.

pièce

(countable) An object made in a mold.

pièce à conviction

(legal) An article formally introduced as evidence in a court.

pièce à l'arrière

A room near the rear of a premises.

pièce d'identité

A document or documents serving as evidence of a person's identity.

pièce d'un cent

(money) A coin having face value of one cent (in either of the above senses).

pièce d'un centime

(money) A coin having face value of one cent (in either of the above senses).

pièce de [[vingt-cinq]] cents

(North America) A quarter-dollar, divided into 25 cents; the coin of that value minted in the United States or Canada. [from 18th c.]

pièce de cinq cents

(US, Canada, countable) A coin worth 5 cents.

pièce de monnaie

(money) A piece of currency, usually metallic and in the shape of a disc, but sometimes polygonal, or with a hole in the middle.

pièce jointe

(countable) Something that is enclosed, i.e. inserted into a letter or similar package.

pièce moulée

(countable) An object made in a mold.

pièces

The working parts of a machine as a group.

pied de corbeau

(weaponry) A metal object, usually small, with spikes arranged so that, when thrown onto the ground, one always faces up as a threat to pedestrians, horses, and vehicles (also used as a heraldic charge).

pied de page

(computing) A line of information printed at the bottom of a page to identify the contents or number pages. (Compare foot in printing.)

pied plat

A person having the above condition.

pied-de-biche

A mechanical device resembling a claw, used for gripping or lifting.

pied-tendre

(chiefly, North America) An inexperienced person; a novice.

piédestal

(architecture) The base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp.

pieds de mouche

Careless, hasty writing, doodle or drawing

pieds nus

Wearing nothing on the feet.

pieds-de-biche

A mechanical device resembling a claw, used for gripping or lifting.

piège

(military) An antipersonnel device deliberately hidden or disguised as a harmless object.

piège à rats

A device (trap) used to catch rats.

piège à souris

(countable) A device for capturing or killing mice and other rodents.

piéger

(transitive) To discover or expose as fake, insincere, or inaccurate.

Piémont

An administrative region in the north of Italy.

piercing

A hole made in the body so that jewellery can be worn through it.

Pierre

(biblical) The epistles of Peter in the New Testament of the Bible, 1 Peter and 2 Peter attributed to St. Peter.

pierre à aiguiser

A sharpening stone composed of extra-fine grit used for removing the burr or curl from the blade of a razor or some other edge tool.

pierre à briquet

A small cylinder of some other material of the same function in a cigarette lighter, etc.

pierre à chaux

An abundant rock of marine and freshwater sediments; primarily composed of calcite (CaCO3); and occurring in a variety of forms, both crystalline and amorphous.

pierre à fusil

A piece of flint, such as a gunflint, used to produce a spark by striking it with a firestriker.

pierre angulaire

Such a stone used ceremonially, often inscribed with the architect's and owner's names, dates and other details.

pierre d'horlogerie

(horology) A bearing for a pivot in a watch, formed of a crystal or precious stone.

pierre de lune

(mineral) A translucent gemstone, an orthoclase feldspar, that has a pearly lustre.

pierre de touche

(figurative, by extension) A standard of comparison or evaluation.

pierre ponce

A light, porous type of pyroclastic igneous rock, formed during explosive volcanic eruptions when liquid lava is ejected into water or air as a froth containing masses of gas bubbles, which are frozen into the rock as the lava solidifies.

pierre précieuse

A precious stone, usually of substantial monetary value or prized for its beauty or shine.

pierre tombale

A grave marker, a stone slab or similar object marking a person's grave.

pierreuse

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

pierrier

(uncountable) Loose stony debris on a slope. [from early 18th c.]

Pierrot

A en given name.

piété

The condition and quality of being godly, pious, scrupulously observant of all the teachings of one's religion, practicing virtue and avoiding sin.

piétiner

(intransitive) To be neglected; to make little progress, be unsuccessful. [from 17th c.]

piéton

(not comparable) Of or intended for those who are walking.

piétoniser

(transitive) To restrict access to (a street) to pedestrians only, disallowing motor vehicles and sometimes cyclists

piétonne

A walker; one who walks or goes on foot, especially as opposed to one who uses a vehicle.

piétonnier

(not comparable) Of or intended for those who are walking.

piétonniser

(transitive) To restrict access to (a street) to pedestrians only, disallowing motor vehicles and sometimes cyclists

piètre

Of low quality.

pieu

A post which helps hold up a fence.

pieuter

(intransitive, slang) To make or experience informal temporary living arrangements, especially overnight.