poilu
noun
a French common soldier.
poilus
-
pluralof poilu.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
Of this swart, fanatical disciplinarian poilus said: if ordered to attack Dentz, Dentz would unhesitatingly have shot Dentz.
From Time Magazine Archive
When the World War broke out, Mr. MacWhite was prodded and hustled out of a French railway car at Lyons, so that the car might be used to rush poilus to the front.
From Time Magazine Archive
He lost a leg at Verdun, and realizing that after the War he would value the votes of thousands of poilus, refused to accept any promotion beyond a sergeant's stripes.
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
