poilu

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French poilu (“brave”). Doublet of plew.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpwɑːluː/

Noun

poilu (plural poilus)

1. (historical) A French infantryman during the First World War

Anagrams

• oil up

French

Etymology

From poil +‎ -u; compare Spanish peludo. The figurative sense entered the language through French military slang.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pwa.ly/

• audio

  (file)

Adjective

poilu (feminine poilue, masculine plural poilus, feminine plural poilues)

1. (informal) hairy

   Synonym: velu

   Antonym: glabre

2. (dated, figurative) brave, courageous; energetic [late 19th c.]

   Synonym: courageux

Noun

poilu m (plural poilus)

1. (historical) poilu (French soldier during World War I)

Further reading

• “poilu”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.