French

Pronunciation

• UK enPR: frÄ•nch, IPA: /frÉ›nt͡ʃ/
• Rhymes: -É›ntʃ

Origin

Middle English French, Frens(c)h from Old English frencisc ("of the Franks, Frankish, French"), from Franca ("a Frank"). Compare Old High German Franko ("a Frank"), akin to Old English franca ("javelin, spear"), from the use of such weapons by the Franks.

Full definition of french

Verb

1. (transitive) To prepare food by cutting it into strips.
2. (transitive) To kiss (another person) while inserting one’s tongue into the other person's mouth.
• 1988, Wanda Coleman, A War of Eyes and other stories, page 151Tom frenched her full in the mouth.
3. (intransitive) To kiss in this manner.
• 2003, Susan Steinberg, TheEend of Free Love, page 81We frenched by the wall.

Derived terms

• frenched