Glossary containing all kinds of vocabulary seen in class but also encountered in personal reading.
ABROAD
adverb
In or to a foreign country or countries.
Example: Next year I want to study abroad.
fr: À l'étranger
AVANT-GARDE
adjective
New and experimental ideas and methods.
Example: These are avant-garde artists.
fr: Avant-gardiste
BULB
noun
Light source that uses a wire filament to glow on the application of electricity.
Example: I have to change the bulb of my lamp to make it work again.
fr: Ampoule
CLAIMS
noun
An assertion that something is true.
Example: These claims did not convince me.
fr: Allégations
COAL
noun
A hard, black substance that is dug from under the ground and used as fuel.
Example: Some countries like Germany are very dependent on coal for their electricity production.
fr: Charbon
COLLECTION
noun
Collection is the use of all legal means, whether amicable or judicial, to obtain from a debtor the payment of the debt due to the creditor.
Example: Unpaid debts will be sent to an agency for collection.
fr: Recouvrement
COMFORTER (US) / DUVET (UK)
noun
A large, soft, flat bag filled with feathers or artificial material used as a covering on a bed.
Example: I have two duvets: a light one for summer and a heavier one for winter.
fr: Couette
COMPLAINT
noun
A statement that something is unsatisfactory or unacceptable.
Example: He is going to the police station to make a complaint.
fr: Plainte (justice)
CON ARTIST, HUSTLER, SCAMMER
noun
Someone who obtains money by fraud, deceit or theft.
Example: This scammer has stolen money from many people.
fr: Arnaqueur
CONCRETE
noun
A building material made from a mixture of broken stone or gravel, sand, cement, and water, which can be spread or poured into moulds and forms a mass resembling stone on hardening.
Example: Concrete is used in modern buildings.
fr: Béton
CUPBOARD
noun
A piece of furniture with a door and typically shelves, used for storage.
Example: Put the dishes in the cupboard.
fr: Armoire, placard
CURRENCY
noun
A system of money in general use in a particular country.
Example: The euro is the currency of seventeen European countries.
fr: Devise (monnaie officielle)
DULL
adjective
Lacking interest or excitement. / Lacking brightness, vividness, or sheen.
Example: The text was so dull that I fell asleep reading it. / She wears a dull brown suit.
fr: Ennuyeux, sans intérêt / terne
EMBASSY
noun
Permanent diplomatic representation of a state to a foreign state. The official residence or offices of an ambassador.
Example: France has one hundred and sixty three embassies scattered from all over the world.
fr: Ambassade
ENERGY-INTENSIVE
adjective
Which consumes a lot of energy.
Example: My home is energy intensive, I should renovate it.
fr: Énergivore
EXCHANGE RATE
noun
The value of one currency for the purpose of conversion to another.
Example: Exchange rates have a great influence on the economy of a country.
fr: Taux de change
FAN
noun
A device with rotating blades that creates a current of air for cooling or ventilation.
Example: I'm going to need a fan for this summer !
fr: Ventilateur
GRAND LARCENY
noun
Theft of personal property having a value above a legally specified amount.
Example: This man was convicted for grand larceny.
fr: Vol qualifié
HEIR
noun
A person legally entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
Example: The heirs will share the deceased's property.
fr: Héritier
INFAMOUS
adjective
Well known for some bad quality or deed.
Example: The infamous crime boss was finally sent to prison.
fr: Tristement célèbre
INFER
verb
Deduce or conclude (something) from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements.
Example: She inferred the answer to the equation by looking at it.
fr: Déduire, inférer
LITIGATION
noun
Dispute, conflict between parties. The process of taking a case to a court of law so that a judgment can be made.
Example: The judge complained that there was too much trivial litigation.
fr: Contentieux
MAMMAL
noun
A warm-blooded vertebrate animal of a class that is distinguished by the possession of hair or fur, females that secrete milk for the nourishment of the young, and (typically) the birth of live young.
Example: Humans are bipedal mammals.
fr: Mammifère
MUFFLE
verb
To make a sound quieter and less clear or to make something less strong or clear (an opinion or an emotion).
Example: The thick walls muffled the sounds of the city.
fr: Étouffer
OAK (tree)
noun
A type of tree. A large tree that often grows in woods and forests and has strong, hard wood.
Example: Oak furniture is sturdy and durable.
fr: Chêne
PATTERN
noun
A repeated decorative design.
Example: This bag imitates the pattern of a snake skin.
fr: Motif
PAYOUT
noun
A payment of money, especially as compensation or a dividend.
Example: Mike received a payout from the insurance company following the fire that damaged his home.
fr: Indemnité
POULTRY
noun
Domestic birds, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.
Example: This farmer raises poultry.
fr: Volaille
PREPOSTEROUS
adjective
Contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous.
Example: This request is completely preposterous.
fr: Grotesque, absurde
SCREWDRIVER
noun
A tool with a flattened or cross-shaped tip that fits into the head of a screw to turn it.
Example: I need a screwdriver to assemble this piece of furniture.
fr: Tournevis
SHORTAGE
noun
A lack of what is necessary
Example: The covid 19 crisis has led to shortages in supermarkets.
fr: Pénurie
SLAUGHTERHOUSE
noun
A place where animals are slaughtered/killed for food.
Example: Animals for butchery are killed in the slaughterhouse.
fr: Abattoir
STRIFE
noun
Angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict.
Example: Some countries are facing economic strife.
fr: Conflit, querelle
SUBSIDY
noun
A sum of money granted by the state or a public body to help an industry or business keep the price of a commodity or service low.
Example: During the covid 19 crisis the states gave a lot of subsidies.
fr: Subvention
THRIVE
verb
To grow, develop, or be successful. To gain in wealth or possessions.
Example: John's business didn't do very well at first, but he worked hard and it's thriving now.
fr: Prospérer
TO DATE
expression
To date means up until the present time.
Example: This novel is his best work to date.
fr: À ce jour
TUMBLE DRYER
noun
A machine that dries washed clothes by spinning them in hot air inside a rotating drum.
Example: Now that my clothes are clean I will put them in the tumble dryer.
fr: Sèche linge
UNDERLYING
adjective
Significant as a cause or basis of something but not necessarily manifest or obvious.
Example: The investigation focused on the underlying causes of the fire.
fr: Sous-jacent
VANISHED
adjective
Disappear suddenly and completely.
Example: The vanished couple were last seen by the lake.
fr: Disparu
WITHDRAW
verb
Leave or cause to leave a place or situation.
Example: The troops withdrew from the region. / He withdrew the accusations.
