Gallicism

or gal·li·cism

[ gal-uh-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. a French idiom or expression used in another language, as Je ne sais quoi when used in English.
2. a feature that is characteristic of or peculiar to the French language.
3. a custom or trait considered to be characteristically French.

Gallicism

/ ˈɡælɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. a word or idiom borrowed from French

Word History and Origins

Origin of Gallicism¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from French gallicisme; Gallic, -ism

Example Sentences

Boutefeu, a gallicism for incendiary: in Dryden's time it was a word of good reputation, but is now obsolete.

From Project Gutenberg

If any elegant scholar will translate that Gallicism for me literally, I shall feel obliged to him.

From Project Gutenberg

But this association proved so helpless that it could not even hinder the invasion of Gallicism in the eighteenth century.

From Project Gutenberg

This, translated into French, became that horrible gallicism: la btise Biche.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a Gallicism, but all the better, where one desires to be imperative, and yet vague.

From Project Gutenberg