Sieyès

[ sye-yes ]

/ syɛˈyɛs /

Save This Word!

noun

Em·ma·nu·el Jo·seph

[e-ma-ny-elzhaw-zef], /ɛ ma nüˈɛl ʒɔˈzɛf/, "Abbé Sieyès", 1748–1836, French priest and revolutionist.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby Sieyès

sieve of Eratosthenes, Sievers, sievert, sieve tube, sieve-tube element, Sieyès, sif, sifaka, Sifrei Torah, sift, sifter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Sieyès in a sentence

Napoleon was heir to the French Revolution, not Abbé Sieyes, a serial writer of constitutions that were never adopted for long.
Obama's Dangerous Game in Egypt|Andrew Roberts|January 31, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Like the Abbe Sieyes, Mr. Paine had completely mastered the science of government, which was in fact extremely simple.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker
They took the hint, and divided the spoil; Sieyes taking the lion's share.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIV, May 1852, Vol. IV|Various
Sieyes was greatly alarmed at the generosity of some of Napoleon's acts.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIV, May 1852, Vol. IV|Various

It is not to him, but to the Abbe Sieyes, that I address this chapter.
The Writings of Thomas Paine, Volume II|Thomas Paine
The Abbé Sieyes was decidedly the most able man of the Executive.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXIII.--April, 1852.--Vol. IV.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for Sieyès

Sieyès

/ (French sjejɛs) /

noun

Emmanuel Joseph (ɛmanɥɛl ʒozɛf), called Abbé Sieyès. 1748–1836, French statesman, political theorist, and churchman, who became prominent during the Revolution following the publication of his pamphlet Qu'est-ce que le tiers état? (1789). He was instrumental in bringing Napoleon I to power (1799)

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