élan
[ ey-lahn, ey-lan; French ey-lahn ]
/ eɪˈlɑn, eɪˈlæn; French eɪˈlɑ̃ /
noun
dash; impetuous ardor: to dance with great élan.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Origin of élan
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH élan
éclat, élanWords nearby élan
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for élan
élan
/ (eɪˈlɑːn, eɪˈlæn, French elɑ̃) /
noun
a combination of style and vigourhe performed the concerto with élan
Word Origin for élan
C19: from French, from élancer to throw forth, ultimately from Latin lancea lance
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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