French–English dictionary

quartet

(computing) A unit of memory equal to half a byte, or chiefly four bits.

quartette

(musician) A group of four musicians who perform classical music together.

quartier

(military, chiefly, in the plural) A building for soldiers, especially within a garrison; originally referred to temporary huts, now usually to a permanent structure or set of buildings.

quartier chinois

A district of a city or town (in a country other than China) in which there is a large concentration of Chinese residents and businesses.

quartier d'affaires

The central area of a city in which there is a concentration of retail and business activities.

quartier général

The place where decisions for an organization are made; headquarters.

quartier-maître

(military rank) An officer whose duty is to provide quarters, provisions, storage, clothing, fuel, stationery, and transportation for a regiment or other body of troops, and superintend the supplies. Master of quartering.

quartolet

(music) A tuplet of four notes.

quartz

(mineral) The most abundant mineral on the earth's surface, of chemical composition silicon dioxide, SiO2. It occurs in a variety of forms, both crystalline and amorphous. Found in every environment.

quasar

(galaxy) An extragalactic object, starlike in appearance, that is among the most luminous and (putatively) the most distant objects in the universe.

quasi-frère

The stepson of one's parent who is not one's half-brother.

quasi-sœur

The daughter of one's stepparent by a previous relationship.

quasiment

Very close to, but not quite.

quaternaire

(geology) The geological period of the Cenozoic Era immediately following the Tertiary. It is subdivided into the Pleistocene and the Holocene Epochs.

quaternion

(mathematics) A type of four-dimensional hypercomplex number consisting of a real part and three imaginary parts (real multiples of distinct, independent square roots of −1 denoted by i, j and k); commonly used in vector mathematics and as an alternative to matrix algebra in calculating the rotation of three-dimensional objects.

quatorze

The cardinal number occurring after thirteen and before fifteen, represented in Roman numerals as XIV and in Arabic numerals as 14.

quatorzième

The ordinal form of the number fourteen.

quatre

(countable) The digit or figure 4; an occurrence thereof.

quatre-vingt-dix

The cardinal number occurring after eighty-nine and before ninety-one, represented in Roman numerals as XC and in Arabic numerals as 90.

quatre-vingts

The cardinal number occurring after seventy-nine and before eighty-one, represented in Roman numerals as LXXX and in Arabic numerals as 80.

quatrième

The ordinal form of the number four.

quatrième de couverture

The cover on the opposite side of the front cover of a book, magazine, etc; back of the book; associated with sports pages in publications.

quatuor

A group of four, a quartet or a game (such as golf) played by four players, especially by two teams of two.

qubit

(quantum computing) A quantum bit; the basic unit of quantum information described by a superposition of two states; a quantum bit in a quantum computer capable of being in a state of superposition; A binary qudit.

que

(formal, somewhat, dated) For example; for instance. (Compare such as.)

que dalle

(chiefly, UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, slang) Nothing (variant of fuck all).

que dis-je

(archaic, otherwise, jocular) Or rather, or should I say; moreover (introducing a stronger and more appropriate expression than the preceding one). [from 16th c.]

que le spectacle commence !

A declaration that something is about to happen, particularly that the person speaking is about to act.

que pouic

(uncountable, informal) Nothing, zero.

Queensland

A state of Australia, located in the northeastern part of the continent; a former British colony from 1859 to 1901. Capital: Brisbane.

queer

(broadly) Pertaining to sexual or gender behaviour or identity which does not conform to conventional heterosexual or cisgender norms, assumptions etc. [from 20th c.]

queerité

(uncountable) The quality of being queer, in the sense of not conforming to sexual or gender norms.

queerness

(uncountable) The quality of being queer, in the sense of not conforming to sexual or gender norms.

quel

(exclamative) Used to form exclamations indicating that something is remarkable, in either a good or bad way.

quel que soit

(followed by a phrase) Regardless of, in spite of, whatever.

quelconque

A/an, each or some, no matter its/their identity or nature.

quelle

(exclamative) Used to form exclamations indicating that something is remarkable, in either a good or bad way.

quelles

(interrogative) What, of those mentioned or implied.

quelqu'un

Any person; anybody.

quelqu'une

Any person; anybody.

quelque

Of a measurement: approximately, roughly.

quelque chose à voir

(often, in the plural) Something worth seeing; a spectacle, either good or bad.

quelque part

In one way or another; in a way not yet known or explained; by some means

quelque part que

In, at or to any place (that); anywhere.

quelque peu

(idiomatic, colloquial) Slightly; somewhat; sort of.

quelquefois

On some occasions, over some periods, or in certain circumstances, but not always. [from 16th c.]

quelques

A small number of (a set of countable items); more than one but not very many; especially, more than two but not very many (explained in usage note at several).

quels

(interrogative) What, of those mentioned or implied.

quémander

(intransitive) To request the help of someone, often in the form of money.

quenelle

(chiefly, US) Specifically, a food composed of a dough wrapper around a filling.

quéquette

(hypocoristic, slang, UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, South Africa) the penis.

querelle

A state of long-standing mutual hostility.

quereller

To have a tussle.

quérir

(ambitransitive) To try to find; to look for; to search for.

quesadilla

A Mexican dish made by filling a tortilla with cheese and sometimes other ingredients and then cooking it until the cheese is melted.

question

(figurative) Affair, issue, matter, subject, story, topic.

questionnaire

A form containing a list of questions; a means of gathering information for a survey.

questionner

(transitive) To ask questions of; to interrogate; to ask for information.

quétaine

(informal) Overdramatic, excessively emotional or clichéd, trite, contrived.

quête

A gathering of money for charitable or other purposes, as by passing a contribution box for donations.

quêter

(intransitive) To request the help of someone, often in the form of money.

quêteuse

A person who begs.

quêteux

A person who begs.

queue

(sports, billiards, snooker, pool) A straight tapering stick used to hit the balls in various games.

queue de billard

(sports, billiards, snooker, pool) A straight tapering stick used to hit the balls in various games.

queue-de-cheval

A hairstyle where the hair is pulled back and tied into a single "tail" which hangs down behind the head.

qui

(relative, plural that) In a relative clause, referring to a previously mentioned noun, as subject, direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition; which, who. [from 9thc.]

qui a des mains de beurre

Prone to dropping things; clumsy.

qui a du cran

(informal) Having or showing pluck, courage or spirit in trying circumstances.

qui a du parti pris

Exhibiting bias; prejudiced.

qui a du sens

Having meaning, significant.

qui a les mains baladeuses

(informal) Prone to touching other people with one's hands, especially in an inappropriate or sexual manner.

qui attire l'attention

Noticeable or attracting attention, especially if unattractive.

qui crée une dépendance

Causing or tending to cause addiction; habit-forming.

qui en vaut la peine

Good and important enough to spend time, effort, or money on.

qui entraîne une dépendance

Causing or tending to cause addiction; habit-forming.

qui met de bonne humeur

Improving the mood; causing cheerfulness.

qui n'a pas d'oreille

Unable to clearly distinguish the difference in pitch between different notes.

qui n'est pas impartial

Exhibiting bias; prejudiced.

qui ne pose aucun problème

Not problematic (presenting problems) or not controversial.

qui ne réagit pas

Not responsive; unreactive.

qui ne se sent pas bien

Not in good health; not feeling well; somewhat ill

qui ne va pas

Not working; out of order.

qui remonte le moral

Improving the mood; causing cheerfulness.

qui rend accro

Causing or tending to cause addiction; habit-forming.

qui reste

Which remains, especially after something else has been removed.

qui se remarque aisément

Obvious or easy to notice.

qui vient du cœur

Showing enthusiastic and unconditional commitment; having no reservations.

quiche

A pie made primarily of egg and cream, perhaps mixed with chopped meat or vegetables, in a pastry crust.

quidam

(dated, outside, UK, and, Australia) A man, a fellow.

quidditch

A fictional ball game played between two teams of seven players riding flying broomsticks, using four balls and six elevated ring-shaped goals.

quiddité

(philosophy) The essence or inherent nature of a person or thing.

quiescent

Inactive, quiet, at rest.

quiètement

In a quiet manner.

quiétude

Calmness of mind or temperament.

quille

A slender object specially designed for use in a specific game or sport, such as skittles or bowling.

quincaillerie

Metal implements.

quinine

(pharmaceutical drug) An alkaloid with the chemical formula C20H24N2O2, originally derived from cinchona bark (from plants of the genus Cinchona), used to treat malaria and as an ingredient of tonic water, which presents as a bitter colourless powder; also, a drug containing quinine or a chemical compound derived from it. [from early 19th c.]

quinoa

A goosefoot (Chenopodium quinoa) native to the Andes and cultivated for its edible seeds.

quinte

(music) The musical interval between one note and another five scale degrees higher (the fifth note in a scale)

quintessence

A thing that is the most perfect example of its type; the most perfect embodiment of something; epitome, prototype.

quintessentiel

Of the nature of a quintessence (in all senses); being or relating to the ultimate essence of something.

quintillion

(dated, British, Australia, long scale) A million quadrillion: 1 followed by 30 zeros, 1030.

quintolet

A group of five, particularly (music) a tuplet of five notes to be played in the time for four.

quintuplé

One of a group of five, particularly babies born from the same mother during the same birth.

quinzaine

(chiefly, UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, dated, _, in North America) A period of 2 weeks.

quinze

The cardinal number occurring after fourteen (14) and before sixteen (16).

quinze jours

(chiefly, UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, dated, _, in North America) A period of 2 weeks.

quinzième

The ordinal form of the number fifteen.

quinzomadaire

Something that is published or released once every two weeks.

quiproquo

The use of expressions susceptible of a double signification, possibly intentionally and with the aim of misleading.

quisling

(pejorative) A traitor who collaborates with the enemy. [from 1940]

quitte

(colloquial) On equal terms of a moral sort; quits.

quitter

(transitive) To go away from; to leave.

quoi

(idiomatic, informal, by ellipsis) A polite formula used when one has not heard or understood what has been said, or to indicate surprise.

quoi qu'il en soit

On the whole; with everything considered.

quoique

Although, despite (it) being.

quorum

The minimum number of members required for a group to officially conduct business and to cast votes, often but not necessarily a majority or supermajority.

quotidien

That occurs every day, or at least every working day.

quotidienne

Happening every day; daily. [from 15th c.]

quotidiennement

quotidianly, every day

r-

again, anew

R.S.V.P.

A reply to an invitation.

Râ

(Egyptian mythology) The Egyptian god of the Sun.

rab

(usually, in the plural) An additional helping of food.

rabâcher

(transitive) To repeat an idea frequently in order to encourage someone to remember it.

rabais

A reduction in price.

rabaisser

(transitive) To lower, as in condition in life, office, rank, etc., so as to cause pain or hurt feelings; to degrade, to depress, to humble, to humiliate. [from c. 1350–1470]

rabat

A hinged leaf.

rabat-joie

(obsolete, idiomatic) A spoilsport, an addle-plot.

rabattable

Designed to fold

rabatteur

A person who drives game towards shooters in a hunting party, typically working in a group with other beaters.

rabattre

To reduce (something) in amount or size. [from 14th c.]

rabbin

A Jewish scholar or teacher of halacha (Jewish law), capable of making halachic decisions.

rabot

(countable, carpentry) A tool for smoothing wood by removing thin layers from the surface.

raboter

(transitive, carpentry) To smooth (wood) with a plane.

rabougrissement

(medicine) Stunted growth, often caused by chronic malnutrition.

racaille

(UK, MLE, Ireland, derogatory, offensive ) A working-class youth, especially one associated with aggression, poor education, and a perceived "common" taste in clothing and lifestyle.

raccommodement

The re-establishment of friendly relations; conciliation, rapprochement.

raccommoder

(archaic) To increase the quality of (someone or something); to better, to improve on; also, to produce something better than (something else).

raccompagner

(transitive) To take for a walk or accompany on a walk.

raccourci

(arts) A technique for creating the appearance that the object of a drawing is extending into space by shortening the lines with which that object is drawn.

raccourcissement

(dated, legal) Any of various brief statements of case law made before modern reporting of legal cases.

raccroc

(uncountable) Random occurrence; luck.

race

(archaic) Race; lineage, pedigree.

race naturelle

(often, attributive) Any local variety of a domesticated animal or plant species that has adapted over time to its ecological and cultural environment (including, in some cases, its work). [from late 19th c.]

racer

A vehicle or other device used for, or designed specifically for, racing.

Rachel

(biblical character) Younger daughter of Laban, sister to Leah, and second wife of Jacob.

Rachid

A en given name.

rachis

(countable) The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.