French–English dictionary

cortège

A ceremonial procession, especially for a wedding or funeral or following a monarch.

cortège motorisé

A procession of cars carrying VIPs, especially political figures.

cortisone

(steroid hormone, pharmaceutical drug) A corticosteroid hormone, closely related to corticosterone, produced by the adrenal cortex. One of the glucocorticoids, it is also made synthetically for use as an anti-inflammatory and antiallergy agent. 17-hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone, with formula C21H28O5.

coruscation

A sudden display of brilliance; a flashing of light; a sparkle.

corvée

Exhausting, menial, and tedious work.

coryza

(medicine) Inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the nasal cavity, usually causing a running nose, nasal congestion and loss of smell.

Cosaque

A member or descendant of an originally (semi-)nomadic population of Eastern Europe and the adjacent parts of Asia, formed in part of runaways from neighbouring countries, that eventually settled in parts of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Russian tsarist Empire and constituted a military caste, particularly in areas now comprising southern Russia and Ukraine.

cosinus

(trigonometry) In a right triangle, the ratio of the length of the side adjacent to an acute angle to the length of the hypotenuse. Symbol: cos

Cosme

A en given name of mostly historical use.

cosmétique

Any substances applied to enhance the external color or texture of the skin, e.g. lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner; makeup.

cosmétiques

Any substances applied to enhance the external color or texture of the skin, e.g. lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner; makeup.

cosmique

Of or from or pertaining to the cosmos or universe.

cosmo-

universe, world

cosmodrome

A site for launching spacecraft, usually in reference to such Soviet or Russian built sites as the Baikonur, Kazakhstan and Plesetsk, Russia cosmodromes.

cosmogonie

The study of the origin, and sometimes the development, of the universe or the solar system, in astrophysics, religion, and other fields.

cosmogonique

Of or pertaining to cosmogony.

cosmologique

Of or pertaining to cosmology, or to the overall structure of the universe.

cosmologiste

A person who studies cosmology.

cosmologue

A person who studies cosmology.

cosmonaute

An astronaut, especially a Russian or Soviet one.

cosmopolite

One who is at home in every place; a citizen of the world; a cosmopolitan person.

cosmopolitisme

The idea that all of humanity belongs to a single moral community.

cosmos

(countable) The universe regarded as a system with harmony and order.

cosplay

(uncountable) The art or practice of costuming oneself as a (usually fictional) character.

cosse

The outer covering of a fruit or seed.

cosson

Any of many tens of thousands of species of herbivorous beetles, ranging in size from tiny to large, in the superfamily Curculionoidea, the most characteristic species having the head projecting in a distinctive snout with the mouthparts at the tip.

costard

(pejorative, slang, metonym) A person who wears matching jacket and trousers, especially a boss or a supervisor.

costaud

(usually, of a man) Large, well-built, and muscular.

costé

A region in a specified position with respect to something.

costumade

(uncountable) The art or practice of costuming oneself as a (usually fictional) character.

costume

An outfit or a disguise worn as fancy dress etc.

cotation

(countable) A price that has been quoted for buying or selling.

côté

Near or next to.

côte à côte

Side by side and facing forward. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470.)]

côté couloir

(transport) Seat in public transport, such as a plane, train or bus, that's beside the aisle.

cote d'estime

(accounting) The value of a business entity not directly attributable to its tangible assets and liabilities, deriving from factors such as consumer loyalty to the brand.

côté fenêtre

(graphical user interface) A rectangular area on a computer terminal or screen containing some kind of user interface, displaying output and allowing input, often for a single task in a multitasking system.

côté pile

(numismatics) The tails side of a coin, or the side of a medal or badge that is opposite the obverse. [from 17th c.]

côté sous le vent

(nautical) The side of the ship away from the wind.

coteau

The side of a hill.

côteler

To give a surface a texture of wales or welts.

côtelette

A cut of meat, often containing a section of a rib.

coter

(transitive) To prepare a summary of work to be done and set a price; to estimate.

côtes premières

Any of several cuts of meat taken from this part of an animal.

cothurne

(historical) A type of soft calf- or knee-high boot that laces up the front, sometimes featuring open toes or thick soles, worn in the Greco-Roman world by hunters and horsemen, as well as by actors in Athenian tragedy.

côtier

(geography) Relating to the coast; on or near the coast; longshore.

cotillon

(dance) A bold dance performed in groups of eight where women lift their skirts to display their ankles. [from 1766]

cotir

(intransitive) Of fruit or vegetables, to gain bruises through being handled roughly.

cotisation

Something given or offered that adds to a larger whole.

cotissure

A dark mark on fruit or vegetables caused by a blow to the surface.

coton

Any plant that encases its seed in a thin fiber that is harvested and used as a fabric or cloth.

coton ouaté

A loose shirt, usually made of a knit fleece, for athletic wear and now often used as casual apparel.

cotonnade

Any plant that encases its seed in a thin fiber that is harvested and used as a fabric or cloth.

côtoyer

(intransitive, nautical) To sail along a coast.

cotre

(nautical) A single-masted, fore-and-aft rigged, sailing vessel with at least two headsails, and a mast set further aft than that of a sloop.

cottage

A seasonal home of any size or stature, a recreational home or a home in a remote location.

cotte de mailles

A flexible defensive armor, made of a mesh of interlinked metal rings.

cou

(anatomy) The part of the body connecting the head and the trunk found in humans and some animals.

couac

(chiefly, UK, Commonwealth, Ireland, informal, often in the phrase drop a clanger) A very noticeable mistake; an attention-getting faux pas.

couard

A person who lacks courage.

couarde

A person who lacks courage.

couardise

Lack of courage.

couchant

That disappears below the horizon.

couche

(countable) A covering of material, such as paint.

couche-culotte

(North America, Philippines, India) An absorbent garment worn around the crotch that retains the wearer's urine and feces, often worn by a baby or young child who is not yet toilet trained, or by an adult who is incontinent or wets the bed, out of convenience, or under extreme working conditions without access to a toilet; a nappy.

coucher

Used to urge someone to do something quickly.

coucher avec

(transitive, euphemistic) To have sex with (perhaps from make love).

coucher de soleil

The changes in color of the sky before and after sunset.

coucherie

(idiomatic) A single sexual encounter between two individuals, where at least one of the partners has no immediate intention or expectation of establishing a longer-term sexual or romantic relationship.

coucou

A greeting (salutation) said when meeting someone or acknowledging someone’s arrival or presence.

coucouler

To make the call of a cuckoo.

coudé

Formed with, or having, a bend or crank.

coudre

To pierce with a needle, especially for sewing or acupuncture.

couenne

The tough outer skin of pork or bacon; pork rind.

couenne rissolee

Sounding with small, sharp cracks or reports, frequently repeated.

couette

(British, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada) A quilt or usually flat cloth bag with a filling (traditionally down) and usually an additional washable cover, used instead of blankets; often called a comforter or quilt, especially in US English.

cougar

A wild feline, of species Puma concolor, native to the Americas.

couille

(in the plural) Courage.

couille molle

(figuratively, US, _, slang, vulgar)

couilles

(in the plural) Courage.

couillon

(derogatory, slang) A stupid or foolish person.

couillu

(vulgar, colloquial) Tough and courageous; having balls.

couinement

An abrupt, high-pitched noise or utterance.

couiner

(intransitive) To emit a short, high-pitched sound.

couiquer

(transitive) To put to death; to extinguish the life of.

coulé

(music) The symbol indicating a legato passage, written as an arc over the slurred notes (not to be confused with a tie).

coulée verte

A corridor of undeveloped or parkland, set aside for environmental protection or recreational and primarily nonmotorized use, such as bicycle paths.

couler

To shape (molten metal etc.) by pouring into a mould; to make (an object) in such a way. [from 15th c.]

couleur

(poker) A hand consisting of all cards with the same suit.

couleur d'ambre

A yellow-orange colour.

couleur de laiton

Of the color of brass.

couleurs

(laundry) A colored article of clothing.

coulis

A thin mortar used to fill the gaps between tiles and cavities in masonry.

coulisse

A mechanical part intended to guide or aid something else to move (using wheels or sliding).

coulisses

The area behind a stage out of view of the audience where performers wait to give their show; especially that of the dressing rooms.

couloir

A clear path/passage through rows of seating.

couloir aérien

Airspace restricted for the passage of aircraft.

country

Ellipsis of country music. [from 20th c.]

coup

A sudden percussive noise.

coup d'éclat

A brave or noteworthy action; a feat or exploit.

coup d'envoi

(football, American football) The opening kick of each half of a game of football.

coup d'État

(politics, government) The sudden overthrow of a government, differing from a revolution by being carried out by a small group of people who replace only the leading figures.

coup d'œil

(also, figuratively) A brief or cursory look.

coup d'œil rétrospectif

Consideration of past times.

coup d'un soir

(idiomatic) A single sexual encounter between two individuals, where at least one of the partners has no immediate intention or expectation of establishing a longer-term sexual or romantic relationship.

coup d’œil

(computing) A text formatting feature that causes text to disappear and reappear as a form of visual emphasis.

coup de bol

A lucky or improbable occurrence that could probably never be repeated.

coup de chance

A lucky or improbable occurrence that could probably never be repeated.

coup de cœur

(informal, by extension) The human object of such infatuation or affection.

coup de corne

The act by which something is gored; a wound inflicted by a horn, usually the horn of a bull in the context of bullfighting

coup de coude

A hit, strike, or blow with the elbow.

coup de feu

The result of launching a projectile or bullet.

coup de fil

(chiefly, British, informal) A telephone call.

coup de fouet

An impetus that starts or restarts some process.

coup de maître

An action which demonstrates great skill or artistry.

coup de pied

(archaic) A kick; a blow with the foot.

coup de poing

A blow with the fist.

coup de poing balancé

(boxing) A type of hook with the arm more extended.

coup de pot

(informal) A stream of saliva from a person's mouth.

coup de soleil

A burn on the skin caused by excess exposure to the sun's rays.

coup de tonnerre

A flash of lightning accompanied by a crash of thunder.

coup de vent

(meteorology) A very strong wind, more than a breeze, less than a storm; number 7 through to 9 winds on the 12-step Beaufort scale.

coup droit

(racket sports) A stroke in which the palm of the hand faces the direction of the stroke.

coup du chapeau

(by extension, sports) Three achievements in a single game, competition, season, etc., such as three consecutive wins.

coup du lapin

A chopping punch to the back of the neck or head.

coup dur

a serious or devastating setback

coup monté

Something prearranged or faked in order to trick someone or to advance one's own interests.

coup publicitaire

A staged event used to garner publicity, usually for the purposes of marketing or activism.

coup sec

A sharp pinch or jerk; a twist or twitch.

coup sûr

(baseball) A successful hit in which the batter safely reaches base

coupabilité

(computing) A source control feature that can show which user was responsible for a particular portion of the source code.

coupable

Meriting condemnation, censure or blame, especially as something wrong, harmful or injurious; blameworthy, guilty.

coupablement

(manner) In a way suggesting suspicion.

coupant

Terminating in a point or edge, especially one that can cut or pierce easily; not dull, obtuse, or rounded.

Coupe

(constellation) A dim spring constellation of the northern sky, said to resemble a cup. It lies between the constellations Virgo and Hydra.

coupe mulet

A hairstyle where the hair is kept short on the top and sides and long at the back.

coupe-bourse

A thief who steals from others' purses or pockets in public.

coupe-coupe

A sword-like tool used for cutting large plants with a chopping motion, or used as a weapon.

coupe-jarret

A murderer who slits the throats of victims.

coupe-vent

A thin outer coat designed to resist wind chill and light rain.

coupée

(participial adjective) Having been cut.

coupées

(participial adjective) Having been cut.

couper

(archaic, slang) Of rum, brandy, or any other spirits, to dilute with water.

couper aux ciseaux

(transitive) To cut using, or as if using, scissors.

couper en dés

(transitive) To cut into small cubes.

couper en tranches

(transitive) To cut into slices.

couper l'herbe

(transitive) To cut down grass or crops.

couper le son

(transitive) To turn off the sound of.

couperet

(informal) A dismissal or rejection.

couperose

(inorganic compound) The green, crystalline salt of divalent iron and sulfuric acid, FeSO4, used as a pigment, and in water treatment.