poilu
Americannoun
-
poilus
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of poilu
1910–15; < French, in earlier slang: tough individual, tough, brave, literally, hairy, haired; Middle French, Old French pelu ( cf. plew) < Vulgar Latin *pilūtus, equivalent to Latin pil ( us ) hair + Vulgar Latin *-ūtus, for Latin -ātus -ate 1 ( e > oi by influence of poil hair < Latin pilus )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Then from Berlin came a remarkable letter of response from Herr Hitler, "as one old front fighter," to "Herr" Daladier as another: German corporal to French poilu.
From Time Magazine Archive
In modern France some garrison commanders punish with two days in "clink" a poilu found playing with a Yo-Yo, consider it a menace to discipline.
From Time Magazine Archive
The book ends with a drawing by Jean Louis Forain depicting a poilu watching the eastern frontier of France, which is held to emphasize the military and political value of British friendship to the French.
From Time Magazine Archive
When War broke out Pierre Laval was drafted, entered the army as a common poilu, saw actual service at the front.
From Time Magazine Archive
On we dashed, until we heard a challenging voice, and discerned a French poilu.
From Some Naval Yarns by Mordaunt Hall
Leaving Cherbourg through a driving rain for their Paris Decennial, the legionaries were saluted by poilus stationed every ten feet for nearly two miles along the railway tracks.
From Time Magazine Archive
Simultaneously some 30,000 French poilus were ordered by President Lebrun to man the elaborate concrete fortifications France has thrown up along her German Frontier.
From Time Magazine Archive
On the Rhine they stood with German officers in full view of poilus on the other side fishing, sawing wood, washing clothes.
From Time Magazine Archive
"La France est a moi," says young Charles as he plays soldiers, grabbing the French poilus for himself, while forcing his brothers to take the Ger man and English sides.
From Time Magazine Archive
For their part, the poilus must have heard rumors of an evacuation.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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