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Frenchify

[fren-chuh-fahy]
verb (used with object), French·i·fied, French·i·fy·ing. (often lowercase)
  1. to make (something or someone) resemble the French, as in manners, customs, or dress: to Frenchify the spelling of one's name.
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Origin of Frenchify

First recorded in 1585–95; French + -ify
Related formsFrench·i·fi·ca·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for frenchify

Historical Examples

  • Do you think there is any good in helping to Frenchify our army?

    Beauchamp's Career, Complete

    George Meredith

  • When the grand serious German nature does Frenchify itself, it can become so extravagantly French!

    A Strange Story, Complete

    Edward Bulwer-Lytton

  • The work of the Oratorists was in a certain measure to Frenchify and modernize the instruction of the Jesuits.

  • As a matter of fact, we should seek vainly for proof of any attempt to frenchify the country at the time.

    Belgium

    Emile Cammaerts

British Dictionary definitions for frenchify

Frenchify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied
  1. informal to make or become French in appearance, behaviour, etc
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Derived FormsFrenchification, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for frenchify

Frenchify

v.

1590s, from French + -ify. Usually contemptuous (e.g. Richardson in his introduction to "Pamela," beseeching the editor not to "Frenchify our English solidity into froth and whip-syllabub"). Related: Frenchified; Frenchifying.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper