Provençal

American  

[proh-vuhn-sahl, prov-uhn-, praw-vahn-sal] / ˌproʊ vənˈsɑl, ˌprɒv ən-, prɔ vɑ̃ˈsal /

adjective

1. of or relating to Provence, its people, or their language.

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Provence.

2. Also called Occitan.  a Romance language once widely spoken in southern France, still in use in some rural areas. Pr, Pr., Prov.

3. the dialect of Provençal used in Provence.

Provençal British  

/ prɔvɑ̃sal, ˌprɒvɒnˈsɑːl /

adjective

1. relating to, denoting, or characteristic of Provence, its inhabitants, their dialect of French, or their Romance language

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noun

1. a language of Provence, closely related to Catalan, French, and Italian, belonging to the Romance group of the Indo-European family. It was important in the Middle Ages as a literary language, and attempts have been made since the 19th century to revive its literary status See also langue d'oc

2. a native or inhabitant of Provence

Etymology

Origin of Provençal

First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French, from Latin prōvinciālis provincial; Provence, -al ¹

Example Sentences

In the living area, which sits on a platform above the kitchen and dining room, hangs a still life of fish and sea urchins by the Provençal painter Eugène Baboulène.

From New York Times • Mar. 20, 2024

She calls the preparation a “tian,” a French Provençal term that refers to a shallow round earthenware vessel, as well as the dishes baked in it.

From Washington Times • Dec. 13, 2023

Be sure not to skip the orange zest, though; it brings out the Provençal wine’s inherent fruitiness.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 3, 2023

The rest of the blend is cinsaut and mourvèdre, two grapes more familiar to fans of Provençal rosés.

From Washington Post • Jul. 28, 2022

But the spirit of his Court was a pedantic one; it strayed after Italian models, and he himself affected the Provençal manner.

From Legends & Romances of Spain by Spence, Lewis