Gallicism

American  

[gal-uh-siz-uhm] / ˈgæl əˌsɪz əm /

Or gallicism

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.

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Gallicism British  

/ ˈɡælɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. a word or idiom borrowed from French

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Etymology

Origin of Gallicism

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

Example Sentences

In respect of words which are now entirely received by the whole nation, it is often possible to designate the writers who first substituted them for some affected Gallicism or unnecessary Latinism.

From English Past and Present by Palmer, Abram Smythe

A considerable number of French came over in that manner, so that life in California was then, as now, considerably leavened by Gallicism.

From The Forty-Niners A Chronicle of the California Trail and El Dorado by White, Stewart Edward

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

From Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume I. by Lever, Charles James

If, however, there were Anglicism on one side, so there was quite as much Gallicism, if not a good deal more, on the other.

From James Madison by Gay, Sydney Howard

Certainly not; for that feeling would naturally diminish in succeeding generations, whereas the Gallicism of our people is on the increase,—in fact its origin is of comparatively recent date.

From The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 2, January, 1851 by Various