grande muette
French edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Literally, “[the] great silent one”. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
la grande muette f (plural grandes muettes)
- (France) army, armed forces
- 2023 October, Allan Popelard, “L'armée, miroir d'une France sans boussole”, in Le Monde diplomatique, page 1:
- La fin de la guerre froide ainsi que l’efficacité de la dissuasion nucléaire ont longtemps justifié une réduction des moyens humains et matériels de la Grande Muette.
- The end of the Cold War as well as the effectiveness of nuclear deterrence have long justified a reduction of staffing and materiel in the armed forces.