French-language
|French-lan-guage|
/ˌfrentʃˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/
in or relating to the French language
Etymology
'French-language' is a compound formed in modern English from 'French' and 'language'. 'French' comes from the name of the people/territory 'France', and 'language' comes from Old French 'langage' (from Latin 'lingua' meaning 'tongue'). nglish: 'French-language' originates from the combination of English 'French' (from the people/territory name) and Old French/Latin-derived 'language'. nglish (short): 'French' + 'language'. xample components: 'French' (people/territory) + 'language' (tongue, speech).
'French' derives from Old English 'Frencisc' (pertaining to the Franks), ultimately from the name 'France'; 'language' comes from Old French 'langage', from Latin 'lingua'. The modern compound 'French-language' developed in English by composing the adjective/noun forms, following patterns like 'Spanish-language' or 'English-language'.
Individually, 'French' originally indicated people or things from France and 'language' meant 'tongue' or 'speech'; over time the compound came to be used specifically to mark that something is in or related to the French language (i.e., 'in French' or 'pertaining to the French language').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the French language (used as a nounal reference to the language itself).
She studied the French-language to improve her conversation skills.
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Adjective 1
relating to or expressed in the French language; used to describe something that is in or connected with French (e.g., French-language media).
French-language broadcasts are available across the region.
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Last updated: 2025/10/31 16:05