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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Gallicism

Gallicism \Gal"li*cism\, n. [F. gallicisme.] A mode of speech peculiar to the French; a French idiom; also, in general, a French mode or custom.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Gallicism

"French word or idiom," 1650s, from Gallic + -ism.

Wiktionary
gallicism

n. A loanword borrowed from French

Wikipedia
Gallicism

A Gallicism can be:

  • a mode of speech peculiar to the French;
  • a French idiom;
  • in general, a French mode or custom.
  • loanwords, words or phrases borrowed from French.

In speaking or writing English, a Gallicism often results from a direct translation from French, giving an unidiomatic expression. False friends often provide occasions for Gallicisms: For example, using the verb to assist to mean to be present at (as in the French assister à) is a Gallicism. So is "we haven't had much chance" to mean "we haven't had much luck."

Usage examples of "gallicism".

Gallicisms and technical terminology are no longer proclaimed to the peasants, while the artisan is no more entertained with grandiloquent descriptions of the last night of Socrates, or with Ciceronian laudations of the Schoolmen.