List of French words of Germanic origin (C-G)
This list of French words of Germanic origin consists of Standard Modern French words and phrases deriving from any Germanic language of any period.
Scope
[edit]The following list details words, affixes and phrases that contain Germanic etymons.
Words where only an affix is Germanic (e.g. méfait, bouillard, carnavalesque) are excluded, as are words borrowed from a Germanic language where the origin is other than Germanic, (for instance, cabaret is from Dutch, but the Dutch word is ultimately from Latin/Greek, so it is omitted).
Likewise, words which have been calqued from a Germanic tongue (e.g. pardonner, bienvenue, entreprendre, toujours, compagnon, plupart, manuscrit, manoeuvre), or which received their usage or sense (i.e. were created, modified or influenced) due to Germanic speakers or Germanic linguistic habits (e.g. comté, avec, commun, on, panne, avoir, ça) are not included.
Many other Germanic words found in older versions of French, such as Old French and Anglo-French are no longer extant in Standard Modern French. Many of these words do, however, continue to survive dialectally and in English. See: List of English Latinates of Germanic origin.
List
[edit]C
[edit]- cabot "dog" ( alt. of clabaud "loud barking dog" < claber < Gmc, cf Dut kabbard "chatterer")
- cafignon ( < Frk *kaf "thimble" < Gmc, cf Germ Kaff "ball, lump of dough", Fr eschafillon "nutshell")
- cagot "bigot" (Uncertain origin, two hypotheses posit: < cagot "hypocrite" < Prov câ "dog" + Gothi "Goths"; or < Prov cagot "infidel" < Prov cap "head" + "Germ Gott "God")
- cague ( < Dut kaghe, kaag < Gmc)
- cahot
- cahoter "to jolt" ( < Frk *hottōn, hottisōn "to shake" < Gmc, cf Dut hotten "to shake")
- cahute "hut, ship's cabin" ( < Du kajuit)
- caille "quail" ( < OFr quaille < ML quaquila, quaccula < Frk *kwakkula < Gmc, cf MDu kwackele, OHG quahtala "quail")
- caillebotter (also cailleboter) ( < caille + botter < Gmc)
- cailleboté (also cailleboté)
- caillebotis (also caillebotis)
- caillebotte
- caillou "flint, stone, pebble" ( < Dut kai, kei "stone" < Gmc, cf Germ kiesel "stone, pebble")
- caillouter
- cajute
- cake
- cale "wedge, support" ( < Germ Keil < Gmc)
- caler
- calfeutrer
- caliborgne
- calot "nut" ( < écale < Frk *skala < Gmc)
- cambrousse (also cambrouse)
- cambuse "(naut.) cook's room" ( < Eng caboose < Gmc)
- came ( < Germ Kamm "comb" < Gmc)
- camembert
- camerlingue
- camion-stop
- camisard
- camoufler "to camouflage" ( < Ital camuffare "to disguise" + MFr camoufflet "puff of smoke" < MFr moufflet < Germ Muffel < Gmc)
- canamelle
- canard "drake, male duck" ( < OFr quanart < quane "little boat" < Gmc + -art, -ard < Gmc, cf Germ kahn "floater, little boat")
- canarder
- canasson
- cancan
- cane "duck" ( < OFr quane "little boat" < Gmc, cf Germ kahn "floater, little boat")
- canesou (also canezou)
- canette ( < cane < OFr quane < Gmc)
- canette "beer-jug" ( < Fr cane < Germ kanne "a can" < Gmc *kanna)
- canif "penknife" ( < OFr < Frk *knīf and ON knífr < Gmc *knībaz "knife")
- cannot "canoe, little boat"
- cap-hornier
- capre
- caquer "to cure (fish)" ( < OFr quaquer < MDu kaaken)
- caquelon
- caqueter "to cackle" ( < Gmc, cf ME cakelen, Du kakelen, MLG kākeln, Swed kackla)
- carapater
- carcan "pillory" ( < OFr quercant < Gmc, cf OHG querca "throat")
- cargo-boat
- cargo-stop
- carle
- carlin "a pug, pug dog" ( < Carolinus < Gmc)
- carlingue
- carlisme
- carolus
- carpe "carp"
- casse "crucible" ( < LL caza < OHG kezi "stove")
- casse-pattes
- casserole "saucepan"
- Catalan
- catgut
- cauchemar "nightmare" ( < cauche- "to press" + mar "demon, mare" < Gmc, cf Germ Nachtmar "nightmare")
- cauchemarder
- cent-garde
- cep "stock" ( < Lat cippus "stake, beam" < Gmc, cf OE cipp "beam, chip of wood", Dut kip "strip of wood")
- chabraque "cloths laid on a cavalry horse"
- chadburn
- chagrin "sorrow, affliction"
- chagriner
- chainse
- chairman
- chalon
- chaloupe "shallop"
- chalouper
- chambellan "chamberlain"
- chambranler
- chambrelan
- chamois "chamois"
- chamoiser
- chanlatte
- charlemagne
- charleston
- charlot
- charlotte
- charlottine
- charolais (also charollais)
- charolaise (also charollaise)
- chasse-bosses
- chasse-marée
- chat "trade ship"
- chat-huant "screech owl"
- chatiron (ceramics) ( < Germ Schattierung "nuance" < Gmc)
- chatironner
- chatterton
- chaton "bezel"
- chatouiller "to tickle" ( < ML *catilare, cattuliare "to tickle" < Gmc, cf OHG kizzilōn "to tickle", Dut katelen, kietelen "to tickle", ON kitla, OE citelan "to kittle, tickle")
- chausse-trappe "caltrop"
- chelem
- chemise "chemise, shirt" ( < OFr chamisae < Lat camisia < Gmc *khamiþi-, cf OHG hamidi, hemidi "shirt", OE hemeþe "shirt"; cf OIr caimis & Welsh camse from the same Gmc source)
- chemiser
- chenapan "scamp"
- chewing-gum
- chic "chic, elegant, stylish" ( < Fr < Germ schick "skill" < Gmc)
- chicaner
- chicard
- chiche
- chicoter
- chiffe "rag" ( < chiffre "worthless thing" < OFr chipe < ME chippe "chip, shard, small piece" < OE cipp < Gmc, cf MLG & MDu kippen "to chip eggs, hatch")
- chiffon
- chiffonner
- chigner
- chiner
- chipe
- chiper
- chipie
- chipoter
- chips
- chiquage
- chique "ball, game ball" ( < Germ dial Schick "ball" from schicken "to send" < Gmc)
- chiquenaude
- chiquer "to chew" ( < Germ schicken "to deliver blows", lit "to send" < Gmc)
- chiquer ( < chic < Gmc)
- chiquet
- choc "shock, jolt"
- chocotte
- choisir "to choose"
- chope "beer glass"
- choper
- chopine
- chopper "to stumble"
- choquer "to shock, jolt"
- chouan
- chouc
- choucas "daw, jackdaw"
- choucroute "sauerkraut"
- chouette "owl, owlet"
- chouque
- cible "target"
- cingler "to sail"
- cippe
- ciron
- clabaud "liar"
- clabauder
- clabot (also crabot)
- claboter
- clac
- clam
- clamecer (also clamser)
- clamp
- clampin
- clamser (also cramser, crampser)
- clan (also clamp)
- clapet "valve"
- clapir
- clapoter "to clap, chop, splash"
- clapper "to clap"
- claque "smack, slap"
- claquemurer
- claquer
- claquet
- clatir
- clenche
- clic
- cliche
- clicher "to stereotype"
- client-relais
- clifoire
- clin
- clinfoc
- clinquant "tinsel"
- clip
- cliquart
- clique
- cliquer (doublet of clicher) "to stereotype"
- cliqueter "to click, clack"
- clisse
- cliver "to cleave" ( < Eng "cleave" < Gmc)
- cloche "bell"
- clochard
- clochardiser
- clocher
- clocheter
- cobalt "cobalt"
- cocagne "cockayne"
- cocarde "cockade"
- clopée
- clopiner
- cloque
- cloquer
- clown
- club
- coachman
- cob
- cobalt
- cobourgeois
- cocagne
- cocard (also coquard)
- cocasse
- cocâtre
- coche ("bad lesson")
- cochet
- cochevis
- cocker
- cockney
- cockpit
- cocktail
- coiffe "cap, headdress" ( < OFr < LL cofia, cofea "helmet" < Frk *kufja, kuffja < Gmc, cf MHG kupfe "cap")
- coiffer
- coke "coke, coal by-product"
- coke
- colbertisme
- colbertiste
- cold-cream
- colimaçon
- colin
- colin-tampon
- colistier
- colt
- coltis
- colza "rapeseed"
- combuger
- condom ( < Eng < Ital < Gmc)
- contre-attaque
- contre-bouter
- contre-choc
- contre-danse
- contre-digue
- contre-espion
- contre-garde
- contre-guet
- contre-hacher
- contre-haut (also contre-haut en)
- contre-hermine
- contre-heurtoir
- contre-latte
- contre-tirer
- contrebande
- contrebord (also contrebord à)
- contrebuche
- contrebuter
- contrechoc
- contredanse
- contreguérilla
- contremarche
- contremarque
- contreplaqué
- contrescarpe
- contresens
- coq "cock"
- coq-à-l'âne
- coquard
- coquarde (also cocarde)
- coquardeau
- coquart
- coquassier
- coquâtre
- coquelicot
- coqueret (watchmaking term)
- coquet (also cochet)
- coqueter
- coquetier
- coquette
- coqueleur
- coquebin
- coquebine
- coqueleux
- coquelicot
- coqueliner
- coquelourde
- coquelle
- coqueron ("cook-room")
- coquet "cockerel"
- coquet "coquettish"
- coquin "scoundrel"
- corned-beef
- cornemuser
- corroyer "to curry (leather)"
- cosse "shell, husk, pod" ( < Gmc, cf Germ Schote "pod", Dut schosse)
- cosy
- cotereaux
- coterie "coterie"
- cotidal
- cotillon "petticoat"
- cotillonner
- cotre
- cottage
- cotte "coat"
- couque ("cake")
- courte-botte
- couvre-guidon
- couvre-képi
- couvre-poche
- cover-coat (also covercoat)
- cover-girl
- cow-boy
- cow-pox
- crabe "crab"
- crabot
- crac "crack"
- cracher "to spit"
- crachoter
- crack
- crailler
- cramique
- crampe "cramp"
- crampon "cramp-iron"
- cramponner
- cran
- cranequin
- cranter
- crapahut
- crapaud "toad"
- craper "to creep"
- crapette
- crapouiller
- crapouillot
- craquer "to crack"
- craqueler
- craquelin
- craqueter
- crawl
- crawler
- crayon-feutre
- crayon-marqueur
- crèche "crib"
- crémaillère "pothook"
- créner
- creps ("craps")
- créquier
- créseau
- cresson "watercress"
- creton "indent" ( < MDu kerte)
- crevette "shrimp"
- criailler
- cric "screw-jack"
- cric-crac
- cricket
- cricri (also cri-cri)
- crier ( < ML crīdāre < Frk *krītan "to proclaim, cry out" < Gmc *krītanan, cf MDu krīten, MHG krīzen, Dut krijten "to cry")
- crique "creek"
- criquer
- criquet "cricket"
- crisser
- croasser "to croak"
- croc "hook"
- crochet "small hook"
- crochu "hooked"
- cromorne
- croquer "to crunch"
- croquis "sketch"
- crosse
- crosser
- crotte "mud"
- crotter
- crouler (sound) ( < MDu grollen < Gmc)
- croup "croup" ( < Eng croup < Gmc)
- croupe "rump"
- croupier "croupier"
- croupion "rump"
- croupir "to stagnate"
- crown-glass
- cruchade
- cruche
- cryptopetit-bourgeois
- cuffat
- cul-blanc
- culbuter
- culotte-short
- cupro-nickel (also cupronickel)
- cupro-potassique (also cupropotassique)
- cutter "cutter"
D
[edit]- dahlia "dahlia"
- dail
- dailler
- dalle
- daller
- daltonien
- daltonisme
- dame "dam"
- dancing
- dandin
- dandiner
- dandy "dandy"
- danois ( < Frk *danisk < Gmc)
- danser "to dance" ( < OFr dancer, dancier < Frk *dansjan, dansōn < Gmc *þen- to stretch, cf OHG dansōn to stretch out, stretch out the arms as if motioning)
- dard "dart"
- darne ("stunned") ( < Frk *darn "dumbfounded" < Gmc)
- daron
- darwinien
- darwinisme
- darwiniste
- daube
- dauber "to cuff"
- dead-heat
- débâcher
- débâcler ( < dé- + bâcler < Du bakkelen < MDu bakken "to adhere" < Gmc)
- déballer "to unpack"
- débander "to disband"
- débanquer
- débarder "to unload"
- débâtir
- débaucher ("to debauch")
- déblayer "to clear, grow corn"
- débleuir
- débloquer ("to erect a blockade")
- déboiser
- débonder
- déborder "to overflow, overreach"
- débosseler
- débotter
- débotteler
- déboucher
- debout "on end"
- débouter "to nonsuit"
- déboutonner
- débrayer
- débredouiller
- débrider
- débringuer
- débris "debris"
- débrouiller
- débrousser
- débucher "to break cover"
- débusquer "to expel, drive out"
- débuter "to debut" ( dé- + but "goal, target" < OFr but, butte < Frk *but "end" < Gmc, cf ON bútr "end, goal, target")
- débutaniser
- décaler "to bring forward"
- décalotter
- déchirer "to tear up"
- déclencher ( also déclancher)
- déclic
- décliquer
- décocher
- décoiffer "to remove the headdress of"
- décramponner
- décrier
- décrocher "to unhook"
- décrotter "to clean, brush off"
- défalquer "to subtract, deduct"
- défarder
- déforestation
- défraîchir
- défrayer "to defray"
- défraiement ( also défraîment, défrayement)
- défricher
- défriper
- défriser
- défroncer
- défroquer "to unfrock"
- dégager "to redeem a pledge"
- dégalonner
- déganter
- dégarnir "to strip"
- dégât "damage"
- dégauchir
- dégazer
- dégingandé
- dégivrer
- déglinguer
- dégrafer "to unhook"
- dégréer "to rig"
- dégriffer
- dégrimer
- dégringoler
- dégriser "to sober up"
- dégrossir
- dégrouper
- déguerpir "to quit"
- déguignonner
- déguiser "to disguise"
- déhaler
- déhâler
- déhancher
- déharnacher
- déhonté "shameless"
- déjauger
- déjuc
- déjucher
- délabrer
- délaisser
- délatter
- délayer
- délai "time" ( < OFr de- + laier "to leave" < Lat latare < Gmc, cf Goth lātan)
- délaiement
- délayage
- délayant
- délayé
- délayement
- délayure
- délester
- déloger "to dislodge"
- déloqueté
- déluré "disenchanted"
- démaquiller
- démarcation "demarcation"
- démarchage
- démarche "gait"
- démarcheur
- démarcheuse
- démarquer "to unmark"
- démarrer "to unmoor"
- démasquer
- démâter
- demi-aune
- demi-bague
- demi-bande
- demi-bosse
- demi-botte
- demi-drap
- demi-feutre
- demi-gros
- demi-haut
- demi-hauteur
- demi-hauteur à
- demi-louis
- demi-penny
- demi-watt
- démuseler
- dénantir
- dépaqueter
- dépatouiller
- dépiquer
- dépocher
- dépoter
- dérader ( < Eng road)
- déralinguer
- déranger "to displace, derange"
- déraper
- dérober "to rob, steal"
- désarroi "disarray"
- dessaisir "to dispossess, relinquish"
- détacher "to detach"
- détaler "to clear, pack up"
- développer "to develop"
- digue "an embankment"
- dock "dock"
- dogue "dog"
- dollar "dollar"
- donjon
- douelle "archivolt" ( < MFr douvelle, cf Germ döbel "peg, plug, dowel", Dut douwen "to push in")
- douve "stave of casks" ( < MFr douvelle, cf Germ döbel "peg, plug, dowel", Dut douwen "to push in")
- drageon (Bot.) "sucker"
- drague "dredge" ( < Eng drag < ON draga < Gmc)
- drainer "to drain" ( < Eng drain < OE drēahnian < Gmc)
- drap "cloth" ( < OFr < LL drappum < Gmc)
- drapeau "ensign" ( < drapeau "stuff, rag" < drap < Gmc)
- drèche "malt"
- drille "rag; drill; soldier"
- drogue "drug"
- drogue "drogue"
- drôle "droll; knave"
- dune "dune, a down" ( < OFr < MDu dūna, dūne "dune, down" < Gmc, cf OE dūn "hill, down")
- duvet
E
[edit]- ébaucher "to sketch"
- ébaudir "to frolic; make gay" ( < MFr baud "jolly" < *Frk bald "quick, bold" < Gmc, cf OE beald "bold")
- éblouir "to dazzle" ( < LL *exblaudire < Frk blaudi < Gmc, cf OHG blōdi "weak, feeble" (Germ blöde))
- éblouissement
- ébranler "to shake" ( < branler < Gmc)
- ébrécher "to impair, make a breach in"
- ébrouer "to wash" ( < Gmc, cf Germ brühen)
- écaille "scale, shell"
- écale "shell, hull"
- écang (also écangue ) "scutching blade"
- écanguer "to scutch"
- échafaud "scaffold"
- échafaudage
- échafauder
- échanson "cupbearer"
- écharpe "scarp"
- échasse "tressel"
- échevin "alderman, judge"
- échine "spine"
- échoppe "engraver"
- échoppe "stall, shop"
- éclat "fragment"
- éclater "to fragment, splinter"
- éclisse "split wood"
- écope "bailer"
- écosser "to shell, husk"
- écot "treebranch"
- écot "share, scot"
- écoute "sheet"
- écran "screen"
- écraser "to crush"
- écrevisse "crayfish"
- écrou "scroll"
- écume "foam"
- écurie "a stable"
- efflanquer "to render lean"
- effrayer "to frighten"
- effroi "fright"
- effroyable "frightful"
- égard "regard"
- égarer "to mislead"
- égayer "to enliven"
- égratigner "to scratch"
- éhonté "shameless"
- élaguer "to prune"
- élan "elan"
- elfe
- émail "enamel"
- embaucher "to seduce"
- emblaver "to sow corn" ( < ML imbladare < Frk < Gmc, cf OE blǣd "produce, crop, yield")
- embosser (Naut.) "to bring alongside of"
- embraser "to set on fire" ( < MFr embraser < em- + braser "to set on fire" < ON < Gmc, cf Swed brasa "fire, pyre", Swed brasa "to roast", Dan brase)
- embrasure "embrasure"
- embrayer
- embringuer
- embrouiller "to confuse, embroil"
- embuscade "ambuscade"
- embusquée "ambuscade"
- embusquer "to ambush"
- emerillon "merlin"
- émoi "anxiety"
- émousser "to dull, make blunt"
- empan "span"
- empoter "to pot"
- encaquer "to pack in barrels"
- engageant "engaging"
- engagement "engagement"
- engager "to engage"
- engraver "to embed in the sand"
- enhardir "to embolden"
- enjoliver "to adorn"
- enrichir "enrich"
- entacher "to infect"
- entasser "to heap up"
- enticher "to spoil, defile"
- entonner "to tun"
- envelopper "to envelop"
- épar "beam" ( < Frk *sparro; OHG sparro)
- épargner "to spare"
- épater "to de-foot"
- épeautre
- épeler "to spell"
- éperlan "smelt"
- éperon "spur"
- épervier "sparrow-hawk"
- épier "to spy"
- épisser "to splice"
- épois "branches of an antler"
- équiper "to equip"
- érafler "to graze"
- escale (Nav.) "putting in"
- escarcelle "purse"
- escarmouche "skirmish"
- escarpe "scarp"
- escarpin "sock, slipper"
- escarpolette "a swing"
- escogriffe "bean-pole"
- escrimer "to fence"
- escroc "swindler"
- espiègle "frolicsome"
- espion "a spy"
- -esque adjective suffix ( < It -esco < LL -iscus < Gmc, cf OE -isc)
- esquif "skiff"
- esquiver "to dodge, avoid"
- est "east"
- estacade "stockade"
- estafier "foot-soldier; to bully"
- estafilade "a gash, slash, cut"
- estaminet "bistro, cafe"
- estampe "stamp, print"
- étampe
- estampille "a stamp"
- estamper "to stamp, print"
- étamper
- estampiller
- estoc "a stick; sword"
- estocade "stockade"
- estompe "stump"
- estrapade "strappado"
- esturgeon "sturgeon"
- étai "a stay, support"
- étal "stall"
- étaler "to present for sale"
- étalon "stallion"
- étalon "a standard measure"
- étape "staples"
- étau "vice"
- étayer "to shore up"
- étendard "standard, flag"
- éteuf
- étiquette "label"
- étoffe "stuff"
- étrave
- étrier "stirrup"
- étrique "scanty"
- étrivière "leather strap"
- étron
- étui "case"
- étuve "stove"
F
[edit]- faille ″fabric, veil″ ( < Dut falie)
- falaise "cliff"
- falbala "furbelow" ( < Prov farbella "fringe" < Ital faldella "pleat" < falda "flap, fold" < Gmc, cf OHG faltan "to fold")
- fange
- fanon "flag"
- faquin "puppy, rascal"
- farandole "farandole"
- fard "paint"
- faubourg "suburb"
- faucon "falcon"
- fauteuil "arm-chair"
- fauve "tawny, fallow"
- félon "felon" ( < OFr felun, obl. case of fel "traitor, wretch" < Frk *fillo, cf OS fillian "to whip, punish", OHG fillen "to whip, beat")
- fer-blanc "tin plate"
- ferme "farm" ( < OFr, < ML ferma, firma < OE feorm < Gmc)
- feudataire "feudatory"
- feudiste "feudist"
- feurre "straw"
- feutre "felt"
- fi (interject.) "fie" ( < OFr fi < ON fy < Gmc)
- fief "fief"
- fifre "fife"
- filtre "filter"
- firme "company, business firm" ( < ML firma < OE feorm < Gmc)
- flacon "flagon, bottle"
- flagorner ″to fawn on″
- flammant "flamingo" ( < ML Flamingus "fleming" < Gmc *Flam-, cf OE Flæming, a native of Flanders)
- flanc "flank, side" ( < OFr < Frk *hlanca < Gmc, cf OHG hlanca "loin")
- flandrin "lad"
- flanelle "flannel"
- flâner "to stroll" ( < Norm flanner < ON flana "to wander, go about" < Gmc)
- flaque "pool, puddle"
- flatter "to flatter"
- flèche "arrow"
- flèche "a flitch of bacon"
- fleuve "river" ( < OFr. Assumed to be a borrowing from < Lat fluvius, however, the form and meaning suggest a derivation from an earlier *floue, flouwe linking it to Frk *flōda "river, waterway to the sea, tidal flow" < Gmc *flōda, flōþuz "river, watercourse, ocean", cf OHG flōda, flōdu "river", ON flōð "river, waterway", Goth flōdus "river", OHG flouwan "to flow with water". Latin fluvius would have yielded *fluge in French (cf Lat leviarius > légère; Lat nivea, nivia > neige, etc.))
- flint-glass "flintglass"
- frichti 'snack, light meal' (< Alsacian fristick, standard German Frühstück)
- flocon "flake" ( < Frk *flako < Gmc *flak-, cf MDu vlak "flat, level", Germ Flocke "flake", ON flak)
- flot "wave" ( < Frk *flot- < Gmc *fluto-, cf ON flota, OE flotian, MDu vloten "to float")
- flotter "to float"
- flou "gentleness of touch"
- fluet "thin, lanky"
- foc "jib-sail"
- folklore
- forban "pirate" ( < forbannir < Frk *firbannjan < for- "for-" + bannjan "to ban" < Gmc, cf Dut verbannen)
- forcené "lunatic, madman" ( < forsené < for + OFr sen "sense, judgement, reason" < Frk *sin < Gmc, cf OHG sin)
- forêt "forest" ( < Frk *forhist, forhista < Gmc, cf OHG forhist, foreht, forst "forest", OE fyrhþ "forest, game reserve")
- foudre "a tun (for liquids)" ( < Germ fuder < Gmc)
- foule "crowd" ( < OFr folc, fouc, fulc, foulc "people, crowd, multitude" < Frk *folc < Gmc, cf OE folc "folk". Influenced in form by unrelated verb fouler "to squeeze")
- fourbe "cheating"
- fourbir "to furbish" ( < OFr < Frk *furbjan < Gmc, cf OHG furban "to polish")
- fournir "to furnish"
- fourrage "forage"
- fourreau "case, frock"
- fourrer "to stuff, poke"
- fourrier "royal officer in charge of food"
- fourrure "fur"
- frac "frock"
- frais "fresh"
- frais "expense, cost"
- fraise "ruffle, curl" ( < fraiser "to frizzle, curl" < Prov frezar "to curl" < Gmc, cf OE frīs "curled", OFris frēsle "lock of hair")
- framboise "raspberry"
- franc "a franc"
- franc "free"
- français "a Frenchman"
- franchir "to leap over"
- franchise "franchise, permission, freedom"
- francique "Frankish"
- frapper "to hit, strike"
- frayeur "fright"
- fredaine "frolic" ( < Prov fradin < Goth fraaiþeis < fra- "for-" + aiþeis, cf OHG freidic)
- fredonner "to hum"
- frelater "to adulterate" ( < Flem verlaten < Gmc)
- frelon "hornet" ( < OFr frelun < Frk *hurslo, hruslo < Gmc, cf Dut horsel "hornet")
- fresque "fresco"
- fressure "plucking"
- fret "freight"
- freux "rook"
- friche "wasteland" ( < Frk *frisch < Gmc, cf Dut versch, virsch "fresh [expose of land]")
- frimas "hoarfrost"
- fringale "hunger pang" ( < Norm frainvale < Gmc)
- fringant "brisk, dapper" ( < fringuer "to get dressed, clean up" < Frk *hreinjan "to clean, tidy up" < Gmc, cf OHG hreinjan "to purify, clean up")
- fripe "rag"
- friper "to rumple"
- frise "[cheval de frise], a military term"
- friser "to frizz"
- froc "frock"
- fronce
- froncer "frown" (< Frk *hrunkja "wrinkle", cf Dut fronse, ronse "wrinkle", Ger Runzel "wrinkle")
- froncer
G
[edit]- gabelle "gabel"
- gaber "to mock"
- gâche "staple"
- gâcher "to bungle"
- gâchette "tumbler"
- gaffe "boat-hook" ( < OFr < Prov gaf < Goth *gafa "hook" < Gmc *gafa, cf OE gaf)
- gage "pledge"
- gager "to wager, hire"
- gagnage "pasture"
- gagner "to earn"
- gai "gay, blissful, blithe"
- gaieté "gaiety"
- gaillard "strapping man, guy (gars)+hard"
- gain "earnings, profits"
- gala "gala"
- galant "gallant"
- galbe "entour"
- Gallois "Welsh"
- galonner "to lace"
- galoper "to gallop"
- galoubet "flute" ( < galouber < *galauber "to play an instrument, play well" < Prov galaubeiar "to act well" < Goth galaubei "great value" < Gmc, cf Goth galaufs "invaluable")
- galvauder "to throw into disorder"
- gamin "street urchin"
- gangue "gangue"
- gant "glove"
- garance "madder" ( < Frk *wratja "madder" < Gmc, cf OHG rezza)
- garancer
- garant "guarantee, voucher"
- garçon "boy, waiter" ( < OFr garçun "servant", oblique case of gars "boy, soldier" < Frk *warkiōn, wrakjōn, oblique case of warkiō, wrakjō < Gmc *wrakja, wrakjan-, cf OHG wrecheo "an exile", OE wrecca "stranger, exile", ON rekkr "man")
- garder "to guard, keep, take care of" ( < OFr garder, guarder < Frk *wardōn < Gmc *wardo-, cf OHG wartēn "to watch over", OE weardian "to ward, guard")
- gardien "guardian" ( < OFr gardien, guarden < Frk *warding- < Gmc *wardo-)
- gardon "roach" (fish)
- gare "river basin"
- garenne "warren"
- garer "to dock"
- garnement "worthless fellow"
- garnir "to garnish"
- garnison "garrison"
- garniture "garnishing, furniture"
- garou(loup) "werewolf"
- garrot "club, big stick" ( < OFr guaroc < garokier "to obstruct" < Frk *wrokkōn "to twist, contort" & *wrok "knotty part of a tree" < Gmc, cf Dut wroegen "to torture, torment")
- gars "boy, guy" ( < OFr gars "boy, soldier" < Frk *warkiō, wrakjō < Gmc *wrakjan-, cf OHG wrecheo "an exile", OE wrecca "stranger, exile", ON rekkr "man")
- gaspiller "to waste, throw into confusion, squander"
- gâteau "cake"
- gâter "to ruin, spoil" ( < OFr gaster, guaster < Frk *wōstjan (infl by Lat 'vastare') < Gmc, cf OHG wuostan "to waste", OE wēstan "to waste")
- gâtine "wasteland, moor"
- gauche "left; left hand"
- gauchir "to warp"
- gaude "mignonette"
- gaufre "wafer, waffle"
- gaule "long pole" ( < MFr gaulle < OFr gaule < Frk *walu < Gmc, cf ON volr, Goth walus, OE walu)
- Gaule "Gaul" ( < Frk *walha "outlanders, Romans, Celts" < Gmc *walhos, cf OE wealh "Welsh")
- gaupe "slattern"
- gaz "gas"
- gazon "turf"
- gerbe "sheaf"
- gerfaut "gerfalcon"
- gibelet "gimlet" ( < Ofr guimbelet < Frk < Gmc, cf MDu wimmelkijn)
- gibet "gibbet" ( < OFr gibe "staff, club" < Frk *gibb "forked stick" < Gmc, cf Eng gib)
- gibier (hunting) "game" ( < Frk *gabaiti < Gmc, cf OHG gebeize)
- giboyer "to hunt"
- gigot "leg of mutton"
- gigue "leg"
- gigue "jig"
- giron "lap"
- givre "frost"
- glapir "to yelp"
- glette "litharge"
- glisser "to slip"
- glouteron (Bot.) "burdock"
- goal "goal"
- godailler "to tipple"
- godet "drinking cup"
- godron "godroon"
- goguenard "banter"
- goguette "merry creature"
- gonfalon "gonfalon"
- gothique "Gothic"
- gourgandine "street-walker" ( < Dial Fr gore, goure "quean" + gandire < Goth wandjan "to go, walk"
- gourmade "punch, blow"
- gourmand "gourmand"
- gourmander "to scold"
- gourmandise "gluttony"
- gourme "mumps" ( < Frk *wurm, worm < Gmc, cf OHG wurm)
- gourmé "curbed"
- gourmer "to beat"
- gourmet "gourmet"
- gourmette "curb-chain"
- grappe "bunch, hook"
- grappiller "to glean"
- grappillon "cluster of grapes"
- grappin "grapnel"
- grateron (Bot.) "scratchweed"
- gratin "burnt part of food"
- gratter "to scratch"
- graver "to engrave"
- gravure "engraving"
- gredin "scoundrel"
- gréement "rigging"
- gréer "to rig"
- grêle "hail" ( < OFr gresler < Frk *grisilōn "to hail" < Gmc)
- grelin "wallfish"
- grêlon "hailstorm"
- grelot "a bell"
- grelotter "to shiver"
- grès "sandstone"
- grésil "sleet"
- griblette "hash of meat"
- gribouiller "to scrawl, daub"
- griffe "claw"
- grigner "to pucker"
- grignoter "to nibble"
- grimace "grimace"
- grimaud "urchin"
- grime (Theat.) "dotard"
- grimper "to climb"
- grincer "to gnash"
- gripper "to seize, grip"
- gris "grey"
- grisonner "to turn grey"
- grommeler "to grumble"
- groom "groom"
- groseille "gooseberry"
- grouiller "to stir" ( < MFr grouller < MDu grollen < Gmc)
- group "bag of money"
- groupe "group, cluster" ( < It gruppo "group, knot" < Germ kruppa < Gmc *kruppaz, cf OE cropp "bunch")
- gruau "oatmeal"
- gruger "to crunch"
- gruyer (Feud.) "someone permitted to forest wood"
- gué "a ford" ( < Frk *wad < Gmc *wada-, cf OE wæd, OE wadan "to wade")
- guéau
- guède "wood"
- guelte "pay, payment" ( < Germ Geld < Gmc)
- guenipe
- guenon
- guenuche
- guêpe "wasp" ( < MFr guespe < OFr wespe < Frk *waspa, wespa < Gmc, cf Dut wesp, Germ Wespe, OE wæsp)
- guerdon "guerdon" ( < OFr gueredun < ML widerdonum "recompense" < Frk *widarlōn "reward" < Gmc)
- guère "hardly" ( < Ofr guaires < Frk *waigaro "much" < Gmc, OHG weigiro "not very")
- guérir "to heal"
- guérite "sentry box"
- guerre "war" ( < OFr guerre < Frk *werra < Gmc *werso, cf OHG werra "strife, quarrel")
- guerroyer "to fight"
- guet "watch, wait, guard"
- guet-apens
- guêtre "a gaiter"
- guetter "to watch, look out, lurk"
- gueuse "cast-iron"
- gueux "beggar" ( < MDu guit "rascal" < Gmc)
- gui "mistletoe" ( < Frk *wihsila "mistletoe < Gmc)
- guichet "wicket"
- guide "a guide"
- guider "to guide"
- guigne (Bot.) "cherry"
- guigner "to glance at"
- guignon "bad luck"
- Guillaume "William"
- guilledou "place of ill repute"
- guilleret "lively"
- guimauve (Bot.) "mallow"
- guimbarde "old crock"
- guimpe "wimple"
- guinder "to hoist oneself, exert"
- guinguette "villa"
- guipure "guipure"
- guirlande "garland"
- guise "manner, way"
See also
[edit]- History of French
- Old Frankish
- Franks
- List of Spanish words of Germanic origin
- List of Portuguese words of Germanic origin
- List of Galician words of Germanic origin
- List of French words of Gaulish origin
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- Auguste Brachet, An Etymological Dictionary of the French Language: Third Edition
- Auguste Scheler, "Dictionnaire d'étymologie française d'après les résultats de la science moderne" (in French)
- Centre National de Ressources Textuelles et Lexicales (in French)
- Dictionary.com
- Friedrich Diez, "An Etymological Dictionary of the Romance Languages"
- Dossier des Latinistes, La Greffe Germanique (in French)
- Thomason, Sarah Grey; Kaufman, Terrence (1991) [1988]. Language Contact, Creolization, and Genetic Linguistics (1st pbk. print. ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-07893-2.