carrefour

American  

[kar-uh-foor, kar-uh-foor] / ˈkær əˌfʊər, ˌkær əˈfʊər /

noun

1. a crossroads; road junction.

2. a public square, plaza; marketplace.

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carrefour British  

/ ˈkærəˌfɔː /

noun

1. a rare word for crossroads

2. a public square, esp one at the intersection of several roads

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Etymology

Origin of carrefour

1475–85; < French; earlier quarefour, Middle French quarrefour < Late Latin quadrifurcum, neuter of quadrifurcus with four forks, equivalent to quadri- quadri- + -furcus -forked, adj. derivative of furcus, furca fork

Example Sentences

Daphnee Sylvestre and 2 months old baby is in her car in carrefour marotie’re 28 , needs help!

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2010

Half an hour placed us at a lower and a grander carrefour, abounding in fuel and seducing with tamarisk-shade: its water is known as the Máyat el-Badí'ah.

From The Land of Midian — Volume 2 by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir

"Wolves and ravens," said Lorraine, in a low voice; "I know why they come to us here in France—Monsieur Marche, did I not tell you that day in the carrefour?"

From Lorraine A romance by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

Their seat was in a sort of carrefour, at Chancery-Lane end, a centre of business and company, most proper for such anglers of fools.

From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 07 by Scott, Walter, Sir

The farmers as a rule preferred the open carrefour for their transactions, despite its inconvenient jostlings and the danger from crossing vehicles, to the gloomy sheltered market-room provided for them.

From The Mayor of Casterbridge by Hardy, Thomas