French–English dictionary

cari

A spiced sauce or relish, especially one flavored with curry powder.

caribéen

Pertaining to the sea and region of the western Atlantic bounded by South America, Central America, and the islands of the West Indies (such as Cuba and Hispaniola).

Caribéenne

(countable) A member of the Amerindian tribes that inhabited the Caribbean region before the arrival of the Europeans

caribou

Any of several North American subspecies Rangifer tarandus of the reindeer.

caricaturalement

In a ridiculous manner. In a way that is funny, embarrassing or extremely implausible.

caricature

A caricature.

caricaturer

To represent someone in an exaggerated or distorted manner.

carie

The progressive destruction of bone or tooth by decay.

carillon

(musical instrument) A set of bells, often in a bell tower, sometimes operated by means of a keyboard (manual or pedal), originating from the Low Countries.

carillonneur

One who plays the carillon.

Carin

A en given name.

Carine

A en given name.

caritatif

Pertaining to charity.

carlin

In full pug dog: a small dog of an ancient breed originating in China, having a snub nose, wrinkled face, squarish body, short smooth hair, and curled tail. [from 18th c.]

carlock

A form of gelatine obtained from the air bladder of the sturgeon and certain other fish, used as an adhesive and as a clarifying agent for wine and beer.

carmin

A deep, slightly bluish red.

carnage

A slaughter; destruction of life, notably on a large scale.

carnassier

Predatory or flesh-eating.

carnation

A yellowish pink color; the color of some Caucasian human skin.

carne

An old jaded horse.

carnet de croquis

A book or pad with blank pages for sketching; a sketch pad.

carnivore

An organism that feeds chiefly on animals; an animal that feeds on meat as the main part of its diet.

Carole

A en given name, popular in the middle of the 20th century.

Caroline

A en given name.

carotide

(anatomy) Either of the two main arteries that supply blood to the head of which the left in humans arises from the arch of the aorta and the right by bifurcation of the brachiocephalic artery with each passing up the side of the neck and dividing opposite the upper border of the thyroid cartilage into an external branch supplying the face, tongue, and external parts of the head and an internal branch supplying the brain, eye, and other internal parts of the head.

carotte

A cylindrical sample of rock or other materials obtained by core drilling.

carotter

(transitive) To obtain through deceitful or manipulative methods.

carpe

part of a fruit or fruiting body

carpe diem

Enjoy the present, make the most of today, (common mistranslation) seize the day.

Carpenter

A surname originating as an occupation derived from the trade name carpenter.

carpette

(figuratively, derogatory) Someone who is overly submissive to others' wishes.

carpien

(anatomy) Any of the eight bones of the wrist (carpus).

carquois

(weaponry) A container for arrows, crossbow bolts or darts, such as those fired from a bow, crossbow or blowgun.

carre

(also, figuratively) The thin cutting side of the blade of an instrument, such as an ax, knife, sword, or scythe; that which cuts as an edge does, or wounds deeply, etc.

carré de sable

A box filled with sand that is shaped to form a mould for metal casting.

carreau

A (usually) metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body that is threaded, with a larger head on one end. It can be inserted into an unthreaded hole up to the head, with a nut then threaded on the other end; a heavy machine screw.

carreau (de carrelage)

A regularly-shaped slab of clay or other material, affixed to cover or decorate a surface, as in a roof-tile, glazed tile, stove tile, carpet tile, etc.

carreauté

Divided into a grid of squares of alternating colours or shades, or into light and dark patches.

carrefour

An intersection where roads, lines, or tracks cross.

carrel

(by extension) A cubicle or partitioned space for reading or studying, often in a library.

carrément

To a significant degree.

carrière

One’s calling in life; one's working occupation or profession, especially when pursued seriously and/or over a long period of time.

carriole

(US, dated) An old, dilapidated or unpretentious automobile.

carrossage

(automotive) The alignment on the roll axis of the wheels of a road vehicle, where positive camber signifies that the wheels are closer together at the bottom than the top.

carrosse

A (mostly four-wheeled) lighter vehicle chiefly designed to transport people, generally drawn by horse power.

carrosserie

(US, automotive) A workshop in which damage to the bodywork of cars is repaired.

carrure

A human body or the structure thereof; the size, shape, sturdiness etc. of a person's body as described in a certain way; one's build.

cartable

A folder in which punched pieces of paper may be held by means of clamps running through the holes in the paper.

carte

(old-fashioned) A written or printed enumeration of the dishes served at a banquet, or of the dishes (with prices listed) that may be ordered at a restaurant, etc.

carte d'accès

A card, sometimes with a barcode or magnetic strip, granting access to a certain area.

carte de départage

(poker) An unpaired card which is part of a pair, two pair, or three of a kind poker hand.

carte de fond de panier

(computer hardware) The primary circuit board of a personal computer, containing the circuitry for the central processing unit, keyboard, mouse and monitor, together with slots for other devices.

carte de pointage

A printed card allowing spectators of a game to identify players and record progress.

carte de tarot

Any of the set of 78 playing cards (divided into five suits, including one of permanent trumps), often used for mystical divination.

carte maîtresse

(cards) A playing card of that suit.

carte mère

(computer hardware) The primary circuit board of a personal computer, containing the circuitry for the central processing unit, keyboard, mouse and monitor, together with slots for other devices.

carte postale

(post) A rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard, typically used for sending messages by mail without the need for an envelope.

carte principale

(computer hardware) The primary circuit board of a personal computer, containing the circuitry for the central processing unit, keyboard, mouse and monitor, together with slots for other devices.

carter

A cover over certain parts of the transmission in a motor vehicle.

carter d'huile

(automotive) The crankcase or oil reservoir of an internal combustion engine.

carter humide

(automotive) The crankcase or oil reservoir of an internal combustion engine.

Carthage

(historical) An ancient city in North Africa, in modern Tunisia. [16th cent.]

Carthagène des Indes

A city in northern Colombia.

carthaginois

Of or pertaining to Carthage.

carthame des teinturiers

A cultivated thistle-like plant, Carthamus tinctorius, family Asteraceae, now grown mainly for its oil.

cartilage

(skeleton, uncountable) A usually translucent and somewhat elastic, dense, nonvascular connective tissue found in various forms in the larynx and respiratory tract, in structures such as the external ear, and in the articulating surfaces of joints. It composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos, being replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates.

cartographe

One who makes maps or charts.

cartographie

(uncountable) The creation of charts and maps based on the layout of a territory's geography. [from 19th c.]

cartographier

(transitive, followed by a "to" phrase) To create a direct relationship to; to create a correspondence with.

cartomancie

Fortune-telling using cards, as in tarot and Lenormand.

carton

A wood-based material resembling heavy paper, used in the manufacture of boxes, cartons and signs.

cartooniste

(comics) One who creates a cartoon or strip cartoon.

cartouche

A pack of cigarettes, usually ten, wrapped in cellophane or packed in a light cardboard box.

cartouche à blanc

(firearms) Ellipsis of blank cartridge [since the 19th century].

caryer

(countable) Any of various deciduous hardwood trees of the genera Carya and Annamocarya, one species of which, Carya illinoinensis, is the source of pecan nuts.

cas

(legal) A legal proceeding; a lawsuit or prosecution.

cas fortuit

(law) An unavoidable circumstance, especially one that prevents someone from fulfilling a legal (usually contractual) obligation.

cas isolé

A person or thing situated away from the main body or outside its proper place.

Casablanca

The capital city of the region of Casablanca-Settat, Morocco.

casanova

A man considered romantic and gallant, especially one who gives amorous attentions to women.

casbah

The fortress in a city in North Africa or the Middle East.

cascade

A waterfall or series of small waterfalls.

cascade de vapeur

An artificial waterfall of smoke for shows.

cascade de vapeur d'azote

An artificial waterfall of smoke for shows.

cascadeur

In films, someone who performs stunts that are deemed too dangerous or physically difficult for the main actors to attempt.

case

A compartment (as a drawer) of an item of furniture used for storage, such as a cupboard, a shelf, etc.

caserne

(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.

casher

(Judaism) Fit for use or consumption, in accordance with Jewish law (especially relating to food).

casier (judiciaire)

(Canada, US, law enforcement, chiefly, in the plural) A previous arrest or criminal conviction on someone's criminal record. [from 19th c.]

Casimir

A en given name.

casino

A public building or room for gambling.

casoar

Any large flightless bird of the genus Casuarius that is native to Australia and New Guinea, has a characteristic bony crest on its head, and can be very dangerous.

caspien

Of or pertaining to the Caspian Sea or the region around it.

casque

A helmet worn by motorcyclists worn to protect the head in case of an accident.

casque avec microphone

A pair of headphones or earphones, or a singular headphone or earphone, typically with an attached microphone.

casque-micro

A pair of headphones or earphones, or a singular headphone or earphone, typically with an attached microphone.

casquette

A traditional Scottish woollen brimless cap; a bunnet.

Cassandre

(Greek mythology) A prophetess who was daughter of King Priam of Troy and his queen Hecuba. She captured the eye of Apollo and was granted the ability to see the future; however, she was destined never to be believed.

cassant

Not physically tough or tenacious; apt to break or crumble when bending.

casse

The bark of this tree when used as spice, and when distinguishing it from "true cinnamon", the bark of the C. verum.

casse-cœur

A person, usually attractive, who flirts with or otherwise enamours another person, but does not reciprocate their love.

casse-cou

Recklessly bold; adventurous. [from 1832]

casse-couilles

(US, idiomatic, vulgar) A person or task which is excessively demanding or punishing.

casse-croûte

A light meal.

casse-cul

Characteristic of a burden; arduous or demanding

casse-pied

(idiomatic) An irritating, troublesome or harmful object, situation or individual.

casse-pieds

A person or thing that irritates or instigates.

casse-tête

A complex riddle or puzzle.

casser

(transitive) To cause (a person or animal) to lose spirit or will; to crush the spirits of.

casser du sucre sur le dos de

(figuratively) To criticise harshly.

casser le fil

(transitive) To interrupt a conversation by introducing a different subject or making a comment.

casser les couilles

(transitive) To pester; to annoy persistently; to press.

casser sa pipe

(idiomatic, US, informal, euphemistic) To die; generally, to die in battle or in a plane crash.

casserole

(countable) A dish of glass or earthenware, with a lid, in which food is baked and sometimes served.

cassette

A small flat case containing magnetic tape on two reels, used to record and play back audio and video material.

cassette audio

A cassette designed to hold recorded sound or music.

cassette vidéo

A small flat case containing magnetic tape on two reels, used to record and play back audio and video material.

casseur

Something that breaks (something else).

cassican flûteur

A magpie-like black-and-white passerine bird of species Gymnorhina tibicen, native to Australia and southern New Guinea, and introduced to New Zealand, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands.

cassis

The berry borne by this shrub.

cassure chromosomique

(genetics) A mutation in which a gene, or other section of DNA, is removed from a chromosome.

castagnette

(musical instruments, chiefly, in the plural) A single handheld percussion instrument consisting of a pair of concave shells or shell-shaped parts joined on one edge by string.

caste

Any of the hereditary social classes and subclasses of South Asian societies or similar found historically in other cultures.

castillan

(inexact) Synonym of Spanish, the language of Spain and its former colonies.

castor

(countable) A semiaquatic rodent of the genus Castor, having a wide, flat tail and webbed feet, native to the Northern Hemisphere.

castoréum

The bitter exudate of the castor sacs of mature beavers, used as a scent mark, and as a tincture in some perfumes.

castrat

(obsolete, _, except in scientific use and in some dialects) A castrated boar.

castration

(surgery) The act of removing the testicles.

castré

Having had the reproductive organs removed (testicles in males, ovaries in females).

castrer

(transitive) To remove the testicles of a person or animal.

cataclysme

A sudden, violent event.

catacombe

(often plural) An underground system of tunnels and chambers with recesses for graves, used (in former times) as a cemetery; a tunnel system used for burying the dead, as in Paris or Ancient Rome.

catafalque

A platform or stand where a body or coffin is placed.

cataire

Nepeta cataria and Nepeta grandiflora (and perhaps other species), which are well-known for causing an apparently harmless pheromone-based intoxication among certain cats.

catalan

Of, from or relating to Catalonia, Spain.

Catalane

A native or inhabitant of Catalonia, Spain.

catalogue

(music) A complete list of a recording artist's or a composer's songs.

cataloguer

(transitive) To stigmatize, label (someone).

cataloguer comme

(transitive, slang) To indicate or ascribe an attribute to.

catalyseur

(chemistry) A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

Catane

A metropolitan city of Sicily, established in 2015; in full, the Metropolitan City of Catania.

catapeltique

(military, weaponry, archaic) Pertaining to a catapult or catapults.

cataplasme

A soft, moist mass, usually wrapped in cloth and warmed, that is applied topically to a sore, aching or lesioned part of the body to soothe it.

catapulte

A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects.

catapulter

(transitive) To provide an impetus for motion or physical action; to cause to move in a certain direction; to drive or push forward.

catastrophe

An unexpected natural or man-made catastrophe of substantial extent causing significant physical damage or destruction, loss of life or sometimes permanent change to the natural environment.

catastrophique

Of or pertaining to a catastrophe.

catatonique

(medicine) Of, relating to, or suffering from catatonia; having a tendency to remain in a rigid state of stupor for long periods which give way to short periods of extreme agitation.

catch

A form of sports entertainment characterized by the performance of choreographed wrestling matches with predetermined outcomes.

catéchèse

Religious instruction given orally to catechumens.