Chapter 31

M., abbreviation for Monsieur; m', _see_ me. ma, _see_ mon. mâcher, _v._ to chew. machinal, -e, _adj._ mechanical. machinalement, _adv._ mechanically. mâchoire, _f._ jaw. mâchonner, _v._ to munch, chew. maçonner, _v._ to build, wall up; voûte maçonnée, vaulted masonry. madame (mesdames, _pl.), f._ Mrs., Madam. Madeleine (la), _f._ one of the principal and richest churches in Paris, having the form of a Greek temple, built between 1764 and 1842. mademoiselle, _f._ Miss, young lady. madrigal, _m._ madrigal (love poem). maëstro, _m._ composer (Italian, = master). magasin, _m._ warehouse, store, shop, storehouse. mage, _m._ magian, astrologer; _pl._ magi, Wise Men (Bible). magicien, _m._ magician, wizard. magique, _adj._ magic. magistrat, _m._ magistrate. magistrature, _f._ magistracy; -- assise, judicial magistracy. magnanime, _adj._ magnanimous, high-minded. magnétique, _adj._ magnetic. magnétiser, _v._ to magnetize. magnificence, _f._ magnificence, splendor. magnifique, _adj._ magnificent. Mahnoud-Ben-Ahmed, Mahmud-Ben-Ahmed (the first and last names have been borne by several Sultans of Turkey; Ben is the Hebrew word for son, it is not Arahic). Mahomet, Mohammed (founder of the Mohammedan religion, born in Mecca c. 571, died in 632). mai, _m._ May. maigre, _adj. and s._ thin, scanty, meager, thin person. maigreur, _f._ thinness. maigrir, _v._ to grow thin. maille, _f._ mesh, aperture. main, _f._ hand; mettre la -- sur, to lay hold of. maint, -e, _adj._ many, many a. maintenant, _adv._ now. maintenir, _v._ to maintain, keep, hold. maire, _m._ mayor. mais, _conj._ but; -- si, why yes; -- non, why no, no indeed, no I tell you. maison, _f._ house, household; -- de ville, town-hall. maître, _m._ master, teacher, Squire or Mr. (title); -- d'hôtel, head-waiter, butler. maîtresse, _f._ mistress, sweetheart. majesté, _f._ majesty. majestueusement, _adv._ majestically. majestueux, -euse, _adj._ majestic. major, _m._ major. majuscule, _adj. and f._ capital. mal, -e, _adj._ (used only in a few phrases), bad, evil; male rage (also written as one word), rage, fury. mal, _adv. and m._ evil, wrong, ill, in a bad way, sore, badly, poorly, indistinctly, harm, trouble, damage, malady; faire -- à, to hurt; -- noir, gangrene; (familiarly used as _adj._) bad, ill; faire -- à la tête, to give a headache. malade, _adj. and s._ ill, sick, sick man, patient. maladie, _f._ malady, illness. maladif, ~ive, _adj._ sickly, unhealthy. mâle, _adj. and m._ male, man. Malesherbes (Boulevard), handsome street in the north-western section of Paris, named after the minister of Louis XVI, who was beheaded in the French Revolution (h not pronounced). malgré, _prep._ in spite of. malheur, _m._ misfortune, accident, bad luck, unhappiness. malheureusement, _adv._ unfortunately. malheureux, -euse, _adj. and s._ unhappy, wretched, unfortunate, unlucky, wretch, unfortunate person. malicieux, -euse, _adj._ mischievous, roguish, malicious. malin, -igne, _adj. and s._ cunning, sly, shrewd, cunning person, rogue. Maloisel, proper name; _oisel_ in Old French = oiseau. Maloison, proper name, _cf._ oison, _m._ gosling. malpropre, _adj._ dirty, unclean. maltraiter, _v._ to maltreat, use roughly. maman, _f._ mama. mamelle, _f._ breast, teat, udder. manche, _f._ sleeve; la Manche, the English Channel; _m._ handle. manchot, -e, _adj. and s._ one-armed, one-armed person. manège, _m._ horsemanship, riding-school, riding-grounds. mangeaille, _f._ victuals. manger, _v._ to eat, eat up; apporter à --, bring something to eat. mangeur, _m._ eater. manie, _f._ mania, fancy. maniement, _m._ handling. manière, _f._ manner; _pl._ manners. manivelle, _f._ crank, handle. manifester, _v._ to manifest, make known, show. manne, _f._ manna, hamper. mannequin, _m._ manikin, dummy, man of straw. manoeuvrer, _v._ to manoeuver, perform evolutions, drill, move. manque, _m._ lack, want. manquer, _v._ to be lacking, be missing, lack, miss, come near, fail; il n'y manquait pas, he did not fail to do it. mansarde, _f._ attic, garret, garret-window, Mansard window or roof. manteau, _m._ mantle, cloak. maquignon, _m._ horse dealer, jockey. maquis, _m._ thicket (in Corsica). marais, _m._ marsh, swamp. Marais, _m._ quarter in Paris, north of the Hôtel de Ville, more usually called the Temple. maraudeur, _m._ marauder. marbre, _m._ marble. marchand, -e, _m., f._ merchant, peddler. marchandise, _f._ (also _pl._) merchandise, wares, goods. marche, _f._ march, walk, walking, pace, gait, step, progress, move, moving, motion; marches perdues, superfluous steps (that lead to nothing). marché, _m._ market, market-place, bargain, bargaining; à bon --, cheap, cheaply; par-dessus le --, into the bargain. marcher, _v._ to march, go on, walk, go, proceed. mardi, _m._ Tuesday. mare, _f._ pool. marécage, _m._ marsh, bog, swamp. maréchal, _m._ marshal, blacksmith. mari, _m._ husband. mariage, _m._ marriage. Marie, Mary. marier, _v._ to marry, marry off, blend; se --, get married; se -- avec, marry; marié avec, married to; marié, _m._ bridegroom. Marignan, Melegnano (Italian town near Milan, where the French defeated the Swiss in 1515). marin, -e, _adj. and m._ marine, of the sea, sailor. marine, _f._ marine, navy, shipping; officier de --, naval officer. maritime, _adj._ maritime. marmaille, _f._ brats. marmite, _f._ pot. marmot, _m._ brat, little boy. marmotter, _v._ to mutter, mumble. marque, _f._ mark, track, token. marquer, _v._ to mark, show, indicate. marquis, -e, _m., f._ marquis, marchioness. marron, _m._ large chestnut. Marseille, Marseilles (principal seaport and second city in France). marteau, _m._ hammer. martial, -e, _adj._ martial (_t_ pronounced as _c_). Martin, Martin (often applied to a simple person). massacre, _m._ massacre. massacrer, _v._ to massacre, slay; massacrant, ~e, _adj._ murderous. massif, -ive, _adj._ massive, solid. mat, -e, _adj._ dull, dim, frosted. mât, _m._ mast. matelas, _m._ mattress. matelot, _m._ sailor, seaman. matériel, -le, _adj._ material, concrete. maternel, -le, _adj._ maternal, on the mother's side. matière, _f._ matter; en -- de, in regard to. matin, _m._ morning, dawn. mâtin, _m._ mastiff, cur, rascal. matinal, -e, _adj._ morning, early, in the morning. matinée, _f._ morning. maudire, _v._ to curse; maudit, -e, cursed. maujeure, _f._ a dialectic word used in Toine in the sense of: fever. mauresque, _adj._ Moorish. maussade, _adj._ cross, sour, ill-humored, sulky. mauvais, -e, _adj. and s._ bad, wretched, evil, mean, dirty, ill (humor), poor. me, _conj. pr._ me, to me. -me, abbreviation of numerals; 2me, 3me, 4me, etc. (for deuxième, etc.). mécanique, _adj._ mechanical. méchanceté, _f._ malice, ill will. méchant, -e, _adj._ naughty, mean, mischievous, bad, malicious, wicked, wretched. mécontent, -e, _adj._ dissatisfied. Mecque (la), Mecca (holy city of the Mohammedans, in Arabia). médaille, _f._ medal. médecin, _m._ doctor, physician. médiocre, _adj._ mediocre, only moderate. méditatif, -ive, _adj._ meditative, thoughtful. méditation, _f._ meditation. méditer, _v._ to meditate, think over. Méditerranée, _f._ Mediterranean Sea. méfiance, _f._ distrust. meilleur, -e, _adj._ better; le --, best. mélancolie, _f._ melancholy, melancholia. mélancolique, _adj._ melancholy. mêlée, _f._ scuffle, fight. mêler, _v._ to mingle, mix, confuse; se -- de, meddle with, mind; se -- à (avec), mingle with, take part in. mélodie, _f._ melody. mélodieux, -euse, _adj._ melodious. membraneux, -euse, _adj._ membranous. membre, _m._ member, limb. même, _adj. and adv._ same, self, very, even; de --, in the same way, at the same time. mémoire, _f._ memory. mémorable, _adj._ memorable. menacer, _v._ to menace, threaten. ménage, _m._ housekeeping, household; faire son petit --, to have one's own sweet will. ménager, -ère, _m., f._ thrifty persan, housekeeper. mendiant, -e, _m., f._ beggar. mendicité, _f._ mendicity; être à la --, to be reduced to beggary. mener, _v._ to lead, bring, take, drive. ménétrier, _m._ fiddler. menottes, _f. pl._ handcuffs. mensonge, _m._ lie. mentir, _v._ to lie. menton, _m._ chin. menu, -e, _adj. and m._ thin, small, trifling, light, bill of fare. menuet, _m._ minuet. menuisier, _m._ cabinet-maker, joiner. mépris, _m._ contempt, scorn. méprisable, _adj._ contemptible. mépriser, _v._ to despise. mer, _f._ sea, tide. mercenaire, _adj. and s._ mercenary, hireling. merci, _f._ mercy, thanks, thank you (masculine with grand); Dieu --, thank God. mercier, _m._ mercer, haberdasher. mercredi, _m._ Wednesday. mère, _f._ mother. meringue, _f._ meringue, light pastry with whipped cream. mérite, _m._ merit, worth. mériter, _v._ to merit, deserve. méritoire, _adj._ meritorious. merle, _m._ blackbird. Mérope, a tragedy by Voltaire (1743). merveilleusement, _adv._ marvelously, wonderfully. merveilleux, -euse, _adj._ wonderful, marvelous. mes, _see_ mon. mesdames, _see_ madame. messe, _f._ mass. mesure, _f._ measure, proportion; à --, in proportion or succession as (another action takes place); en --, in time, in proportion; à -- que, in proportion as. mesurer, _v._ to measure. métamorphose, _f._ metamorphosis. méticuleux, -euse, _adj._ over-scrupulous, fastidious. métier, _m._ trade, loom. mètre, _m._ meter (39 inches). mette, _f._ metal (Old French). mettre, _v._ to put, place, put on, set, put in place, take (time); se -- à, begin, set out in; se -- en route, start; se -- en mouvement, begin to move; se -- à table, seat oneself at table; se -- en colère, get angry; se -- en marche, set out on the march; se -- au jeu, get in the game; se -- en bataille, form for battle; se -- dans tous ses atours, attire oneself in all one's finery; -- dans, put in, hit; -- bas, take off; -- pied à terre, dismount; -- en pièces, tear or dash to pieces; -- à la porte, put out of doors; -- la police en l'air, stir up the police; -- le feu, set fire; -- en fuite, set to flight. meuble, _m._ piece of furniture, furniture, _pl._ furniture. meubler, _v._ to furnish. meunier, _m._ miller; meurtre, _m._ murder. meurtrier, _m._ murderer. meurtrir, _v._ to bruise; avoir le coeur meurtri, to be sick at heart. meute, _f._ pack (of hounds, etc.). mi, _adv. and adj._ (invariable), equally; à -- -chemin, half way. Michel, Michael. midi, _m._ midday, noon, twelve o'ciock, south; Midi, _m._ South of France; les pleins midis, the midday heat. miel, _m._ honey. mien, -ne, _poss. adj. pr._ (usually with article), mine. miette, _f._ crumb. mieux, _adv._ better, more, more comfortable; tant --, so much the better; de son --, the best he can, etc.; le --, best; regardez --, look more closely. mignon, -ne, _adj._ and s. darling, dainty, cunning, dear little. migraine, _f._ sick-headache. milice, _f._ militia. milieu, _m._ middle, midst, middle ground, surroundings. militaire, _adj. and m._ military, soldier. mille, _card._ one thousand; -- et deuxième, _ord._ thousand and second (in this and in the next two words _ll_ is not liquid). millier, _m._ about one thousand, thousand. million, _m._ million. Milon, Milo. minaret, _m._ minaret. minauder, _v._ to simper, mince, smirk. minauderie, _f._ smirking, simpering. mince, _adj._ thin, slender, narrow. mine, _f._ look, appearance. mine, _f._ mine. minerai, _m._ ore. ministère, _m._ department (of a cabinet minister), building for the administration offices, ministry, cabinet. ministre, _m._ minister; adjectively: ministerial. minuit, _m._ midnight. minute, _f._ minute; de cinq minutes en cinq minutes, every five minutes. minutieux, -euse, _adj._ minute, searching (_t_ pronounced as _c_). mioche, _m., f._ brat, youngster. miracle, _m._ miracle. mirage, _m._ mirage. miroir, _m._ mirror. miroiter, _v._ to glitter, shine, reflect light. Miromesnil (rue de), Parisian street crossing the Boulevard Malesherbes (pronounced: _Miroménil_). misérable, _adj. and s._ miserable, wretched, wretch. misère, _f._ misery, destitution, hardship. miséricorde, _f._ mercy. Moallakats, a collection of seven Arabic poems of different authors in the 6th and 7th centuries (also written Moallakât). mobile, _adj._ movable, mobile, unsteady, variable, in motion, restless. mode, _f._ manner, style, fashion; marchande de modes, milliner; à la --, in style. modèle, _m._ model. modération, _f._ moderation. modéré, -e, _adj._ moderate. moderne, _adj._ modern. modeste, _adj._ modest. modestement, _adv._ modestly. modestie, _f._ modesty. modifier, _v._ to modify. moelle, _f._ marrow (in this and in the next word _oe_ is pronounced as _oi_ in moi). moelleux, -euse, _adj._ soft. moeurs, _f. pl._ manners, habits, customs (_s_ pronounced). moi, _conj. and disj. pr._ me, to me, I, myself. moignon, _m._ stump (of an arm, etc.). moi-même, _pr._ myself, I myself. moindre, _adj._ less; le --, least, the slightest. moins, _adv._ less, the less; le --, least; au --, at least; du --, at least; à -- que or de, unless; pour le --, at the least. mois, _m._ month. moisissure, _f._ mold. moisson, _f._ harvest. moite, _adj._ moist, damp. moitié, _f._ half; à --, half. moleskine, _f._ moleskin (corduroy, etc.; sometimes applied to imitation leather). mollesse, _f._ softness, laxness, enervation. molleton,_ m._ swanskin (soft woollen stuff). molosse, _m._ mastiff. môme, _m., f._ youngster, "kldquo;kid" (familiar). moment, _m._ moment. momie, _f._ mummy. mon, ma (mes, _pl.), poss. adj. pr._ my. monarchie, _f._ monarchy. Monceau (le parc), an attractive park in the northwestern section of Paris. monde, _m._ world, people, society; tout le --, everybody. monnaie, _f._ change, coin. monocle, _m._ monocle. monotone, _adj._ monotonous. monsieur (messieurs, _pl.), m._ mister, sir, gentleman, the gentleman; abbreviated: M., Mr.; -- son père, his father (pronounced: _mesieu_). monstre, _m. and adj._ monster, monstrous. monstrueux, ~euse, _adj._ monstrous. mont, _m._ mount. montagne, _f._ mountain. monter, _v._ to mount, go up, ascend, come up, get in. Montivilliers, small Norman town between le Havre and Fécamp (_ll_ not liquid). montre, _f._ watch, exhibition, show-window. montrer, _v._ to show, indicate, point out; se --, show oneself, appear. montueux, -euse, _adj._ hilly. monture, _f._ mount, horse (for riding). monumental, -e, _adj._ monumental. moquer, _v._ to mock; se -- de, make fun of, care nothing about; s'en -- pas mal, not care a rap about it. moral, -e, _adj._ moral, mental; faire de la morale à, to preach to, exhort. morceau, _m._ morsel, bit, piece. mordieu, _interj._ by heaven!, etc. mordre, _v._ to bite. morgue, _f._ pride, arrogance. morne, _adj._ gloomy, mournful, sad. mornifle, _f._ slap on the jaws. morsure, _f._ bite. mort, _f._ death; -- -qui-trompe, deceptive death, death in ambush. mortel, -le, _adj. and s._ mortal. mortifier, _v._ to mortify. morue, _f._ codfish. mosaique, _f._ mosaic. Moscou, Moscow. mosquée, _f._ mosque. mot, _m._ word; un bon --, a witty remark. motif, _m._ motive. motte, _f._ clod, lump. mou, molle, _adj._ soft, nerveless, flabby. mouche, _f._ fly; faire --, to hit the bull's-eye; -- à vapeur, small steamboat used on French rivers. moucheron, _m._ gnat, "kldquo;kid" (slang in the latter sense). moucheter, _v._ to spot, speckle. mouchoir, _m._ handkerchief. moufle, _f._ mitten. mouiller, _v._ to wet, bathe, cast (anchor); se --, become wet. mouillure, _f._ wetness, wetting, dampness. moulin, _m._ mill. mourir, _v._ to die; se --, be dying; faire --, make die, kill, execute; -- pour --, as well die one time as another; mort -e, _adj. and s._ dead, spent (bullet), dead man, etc. mousquet, _m._ musket. mousqueterie, _f._ musketry. mousse, _f._ moss, foam. mousse, _m._ cabin-boy. mousseline, _f._ muslin. mousseux, -euse, _adj._ foamy, frothy. moustache, _f._ mustache. moutard, _m._ urchin, brat. mouton, _m._ sheep, mutton. mouvement, _m._ movement, motion, impulse. mouvoir, _v._ to move; mouvant, -e, adj. moving, busy. moyen, -ne, _adj. and m._ average, mean, medium, middle, means, resource, way; au -- de, by means of. moyenâgeux, -euse, _adj._ medieval. Mozart, (Wolfgang Amadeus), noted German composer of _Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Requiem_; etc., (1756-1791). muet, -te, _adj. and s._ mute, silent. muezzin, _m._ muezzin (Mohammedan priest who announces from the minaret the hour for prayer). mule, _f._ mule. mulon, _m._ great heap of salt. Munster, Münster (small Alsatian town). mur, _m._ wall. mûr, -e, _adj._ ripe, mature. muraille, _f._ wall, rampart. murer, _v._ to wall up. mûrir, _v._ to ripen, mature, develop. murmure, _m._ murmur, murmuring. murmurer, _v._ to murmur. mutualité, _f._ mutuality. muscle, _m._ muscle. muse, _f._ muse. musicien, _m._ musician. musique, _f._ music; faire de la --, to play. mystère, _m._ mystery. mystérieux, -euse, _adj._ mysterious. mystification, _f._ mystification, hoax. mythologique, _adj._ mythological.

N

n', _see_ ne. nabab, _m._ nabob. nacre, _f._ mother-of-pearl. nager, _v._ to swim. naguère, _adv._ lately, but now, not long ago. naissance, _f._ birth. naitre, to be born; né, -e, born. naïvement, _adv._ ingenuously, artlessly. Nantes, important city on the lower Loire. Napoléon III, French Emperor from 1852 to 1870. nappe, _f._ tablecloth, sheet (of water, light, etc.). narguer, _v._ to defy, snap one's fingers at. narguilhé, _m._ narghile (Oriental water pipe for smoking; usually written narguilé). narine, _f._ nostril. natal, -e, _adj._ natal, native. natif, -ive, _adj. and s_. native. national, -e, _adj._ national. nature, _f._ nature, kind. naturel, -le, _adj. and m._ natural, disposition, nature, naturalness. naturellement, _adv._ naturally. naviguer, _v._ to sail. navire, _m._ ship, vessel. navrer, _v._ to break the heart of; navrant, -e, heartrending, distressing; navré, -e, heart-broken; le coeur navré, heart-broken. ne, _adv._ (usually with pas, point, etc.), not (frequently pleonastic). néanmoins, _adv._ nevertheless, notwithstanding. nébuieux, -euse, _adj._ nebulous, glooiny, disturbing. nécessaire, _adj._ necessary. nécessité, _f._ necessity. nécropole, _f._ necropolis (catacombs). négliger, _v._ to neglect, slight. négociant, _m._ merchant, trader. nègre, _adj. and m._ negro. neige, _f._ snow; eau de --, melted snow, water chilled with snow. nerf, _m._ nerve, sinew (_f_ pronounced). nerveux, -euse, _adj._ nervous. Nesmond, noble French family prominent in the 17th and 18th centuries. net, -te, _adj._ neat, clear, short; couper --, to cut short or squarely off (_t_ pronounced). nettement, _adv._ clearly, plainly. netteté, _f._ neatness, clearness, distinctness. nettoyer, _v._ to clean, clean out. neuf, _card._ nine. neuf, neuve, new; de --, freshly. neveu, _m._ nephew; petit --, great nephew. Newton (Sir Isaac), the famous English mathematician, physicist, astronomer and philosopher, especially noted for his discovery of the laws of gravitation and for his work on light (1642-1727). nez, _m._ nose; devant le --, before the face; fermer sur le --, to shut in the face (pronounced: _né_). ni, _conj._ nor; -- ... --, neither ... nor. niaiserie, _f._ nonsense. niche, _f._ niche, recess, kennel. Nicolas, Nicholas. nid, _m._ nest. nièce, _f._ niece. Nil (le), _m._ the Nile. Nîmes, city in the department of Gard. noble, _adj. and s._ noble. noblesse, _f._ nobility. noce, _f._ wedding; _pl._ wedding. Noël, _m._ Christmas; la --, the Christmas festival; le petit --, Santa Claus. noir, -e, _adj. and m._ black; le Noir, gangrene; voir tout en --, to look on the dark side of everything. noircir, _v._ to blacken. noircisseur, _m._ dyer in black, scribbler. noix, _f._ nut, Middle part, pope's eye (of meat). nom, _m._ name; -- de --, euphemistic oath. nombre, _m._ number; -- de, a number of. nombreux, -euse, _adj._ numerous. nommer, _v._ to name; nommé, -e, _adj. and s._ named, one called. non, adv. no, not; -- pas, not, not at all. non bis in idem, not twice in the same place (Latin). nonchalamment, _adv._ nonchalantly, carelessly, heedlessly. nonchalant, -e, _adj._ listless, unmindful, nonchalant. non-seulement, _adv._ not only. nopal, _m._ nopal (cactus). nord, _m._ north; -- est, north-east (_d_ is not pronounced in nord, but is pronounced in nord-est). normal, -e, _adj._ normal, natural. normand, -e, _adj. and s._ Norman (written Normand when _s._). Normandie, _f._ Normandy (former French province on the English Channel). nos, _see_ notre. notable, _adj._ notable. notaire, _m._ notary. notamment, _adv._ especially, particularly. note, _f._ note, bill. notion, _f._ notion, idea. notre (nos, _pl.), poss. adj. pr._ our. nôtre, _poss. adj. pr._ ours (usually with article). nouer, _v._ to knot, tie, tie up. noueux, -euse, _adj._ knotty, knotted. Nourmahal, popular Oriental name because of the wife of a Mogul emperor, who bore this name in the 17th century. nourrice, _f._ wet-nurse. nourrir, _v._ to nourish, nurse, support, feed. nourriture, _f._ food. nous, _conj. and disj. pr._ we, us, to us. nous-mêmes, _pr._ we ourselves, ourselves. nouveau, (nouvel before vowels), -elle, _adj._ new, other; de --, anew, again; nouvelle(s), f. news, piece of news, story (longer than the conte and shorter than the roman); de vos nouvelles, news of you; ---né, new-born child, etc.; avoir des nouvelles de, to hear from. nouvellement, _adv._ newly, recently. Novare, Novara (city of northern Italy). novembre, _m._ November. noyau, _m._ stone (of fruit). noyer, _v._ to drown, swamp. nu, -e, _adj._ naked, bare; à --, bare, exposed, openly; -- pieds, barefooted. nuage, _m._ cloud. nuageux, -euse, _adj._ cloudy, somber. nuance, _f._ tint, shade. nudité, _f._ nudity, nakedness, bareness. nuée, _f._ thick cloud. nuire, _v._ to injure, be harmful. nuit, _f._ night; la --, the night, at night. nul, -le, _adj. and pr._ no, no one. nullement, _adv._ in no wise, by no means. numéro, _m._ number. nuptial, -e, _adj._ nuptial, marriage (_t_ pronounced as _c_). nuque, _f._ nape (of the neck).

O