French

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Etymology

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Probably from or related to German dialectal ruspen, ruspern (to snore, groan, grumble, retch). If so, then cognate with Low German ruspen, Middle Dutch ruyspen, German räuspern (to clear the throat).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ʁu.pi.je/
  • Audio:(file)

Verb

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roupiller

  1. (archaic) to drowse, to doze
  2. (colloquial) to (get some) sleep, to kip
    • 1978, Claude Nougaro (lyrics and music), “E Pericoloso Sporgersi”, in Tu Verras:
      Si lassé des voisins qui roupillent / Par la vitre baissée, tu te dessilles / En comptant les points d’or de la nuit / E Pericoloso Sporgersi
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Conjugation

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Further reading

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