# List of English words of French origin (A–C)

The pervasiveness of words of French origin that have been borrowed into English is comparable to that of borrowings from Latin.
* Top
* A
* B
* C
* D–I
* J–R
* S–Z
* See also
* References

## A

* abaisse
* abandon
* abandonment
* abase (Old Fr. abaissier)
* abash (Old Fr. esbaïr)
* abate (Old Fr. abatre, compare modern Fr. abattre)
* abatement (Old Fr. abatement, compare modern Fr. abattement)
* abatis
* abattoir
* abbatial
* abbe
* abbess
* abbey (Anglo Fr. abbeie, from Old Fr. abaïe, compare modern Fr. abbaye)
* abbreviation, (Fr. abréviation)
* abdication
* abet (Old Fr. abeter)
* abeyance (Anglo Fr. abeiance, from Old Fr. abeance)
* abhor (Fr. abhorrer)
* ability (Old Fr. ableté, compare modern Fr. habileté with restoration of initial h of Latin habilitas)
* abject
* abjection
* abjuration
* abjure (Fr. abjurer)
* ablation (Fr. ablation)
* ablative
* able, from Old French, compare modern Fr. habile or capable
* ablution
* abnormal compare anormal
* aboard (Middle Fr. à bord)
* abolish, compare abolir
* abolition
* abominable
* abomination
* abound
* abrasion
* abrasive, Fr. abrasif, abrasive(fem.)
* abridge, Fr. abréger
* abrogation
* abrupt
* absence
* absent
* absinthe
* absolute, from Middle French, compare modern Fr. absolu
* absolution
* absorb (Fr. absorber)
* abstain (Old Fr. abstenir)
* abstention
* abstinence
* abstinent
* absurd
* absurdity (Fr. absurdité)
* abundance (Old Fr. abundance, modern Fr. abondance)
* abundant
* abuse (Fr. abuser)
* abusive (Fr. abusif, abusive(fem.) )
* abut (Old Fr. abouter)
* abysmal (Old Fr. abisme)
* academy, compare académie, from anc. Greek akademeia
* Acadia (Fr. Acadie)
* acceleration (Fr. accélération)
* accent (Fr. accent)
* accept (Fr. accepter)
* acceptable
* acceptance
* access (Fr. accès)
* accessible
* accession
* accident
* acclamation
* acclimate (Fr. acclimater)
* accolade
* accommodation
* accompaniment (Fr. accompagnement)
* accompany (Old Fr. acompaignier, modern Fr. accompagner)
* accomplice (Old Fr. complice)
* accomplish (Old Fr. acomplir, modern Fr. accomplir)
* accord
* accordance (Old Fr. accordance)
* accost
* accoucheur
* account (Old Fr. acont)
* accountant (Old Fr. acuntant)
* accoutre or accouter
* accoutrements
* accredit
* accreditation
* accrue
* accumulation
* accusation
* accusative (Old Fr. accusatif)
* accuse
* accustom (Old Fr. acostumer, modern Fr. accoutumer)
* ace, (Old Fr. as)
* acephalous, (Fr. acéphale)
* acerbity, (Middle Fr. acerbité)
* acetic, (Fr. acétique)
* acetylene, (Fr. acétylène)
* achieve, (Old Fr. achever)
* achievement, (Fr. achèvement)
* acid, (Fr. acide)
* aconite, (Fr. aconit)
* acoustic, (Fr. acoustique)
* acquaint, (Old Fr. acointier)
* acquaintance, (Old Fr. acointance)
* acquiesce, (Middle Fr. acquiescer)
* acquiescence, (Middle Fr. acquiescence)
* acquire, (Old Fr. aquerre)
* acquisition
* acquit (Old Fr. acquitter)
* acrimonious (Fr. acrimonieux)
* acrimony (Fr. acrimonie)
* acrobat (Fr. acrobate)
* acrobatic (Fr. acrobatique)
* acromegaly (Fr. acromégalie)
* across (Anglo Fr. an cros)
* act (Old Fr. acte)
* action
* activity, (Middle French activité)
* actual, (Old French actuel)
* acuity, (Middle French acuité)
* adage
* adapt, (Middle French adapter)
* adaptation
* addition
* address
* adhere
* adherence
* adhesion
* adhesive, compare adhésif or feminine form adhésive
* adieu, which literally means "to God" (à Dieu), farewell
* adjective, compare adjectif
* adjoin
* adjourn (Old French ajourner)
* adjudge (Old French ajugier, compare modern French adjuger)
* adjust (Old French ajoster, compare modern French ajuster)
* administer (Old French aministrer, compare modern French administrer)
* administration
* admirable
* admiral (Old French amiral)
* admiration
* admire
* admissible
* admission
* admonish (Old French amonester, compare modern French admonester)
* admonition
* adolescence
* adolescent
* adopt
* adoption
* adorable
* adoration
* adore
* adorn (Old French aourner)
* adornment (Old French aournement)
* adroit
* adulation
* adultery (Old French avoutrie or aoulterie, compare modern Fr. adultère)
* advance (Old French avancer)
* advancement (Old French avancement)
* advantage (Old French avantage)
* advantageous
* adventure, (Old French auenture, compare modern Fr. aventure)
* adventurous, (Old French aventuros, compare modern Fr. aventureux)
* adversary, (Anglo French adverser, from Old Fr. adversier, compare modern Fr. adversaire)
* adverse (Old French avers, compare modern Fr. adverse)
* adversity (Anglo French aduersite, from Old Fr. aversite, compare modern Fr. adversité)
* advertisement, (French avertissement [warning])
* advice, (Old French avis [opinion])
* advise, (Old French aviser [give one's opinion])
* advocacy, (Old French advocacie)
* advocate (Old French avocat [attorney or lawyer])
* aerobic (French aérobie)
* aerodynamics (French aérodynamique)
* aeronautics (French aéronautique)
* aeroplane (French aéroplane)
* affability (French affabilité)
* affable
* affair, (Anglo-Norman afere, from Old Fr. afaire or à faire, compare modern Fr. affaire)
* affection
* affiance (Old French afiancer)
* affiliation
* affinity, (Old French afinité, compare modern Fr. affinité)
* affirm, (Old French afermer, compare modern Fr. affirmer)
* affirmation
* affirmative
* affix (Middle French affixer, from Old Fr. afichier, compare modern Fr. afficher)
* afflict
* affliction
* affluence
* affluent
* affront
* afraid p.p. of afray (Anglo French afrayer, from Old Fr. esfreer, compare modern Fr. effrayer)
* agate
* age
* agent provocateur
* aggrandisement Fr. agrandissement
* aggravation
* aggression, compare agression
* aggrieve, (Old Fr. agrever, compare modern Fr. aggraver)
* agile
* agility
* à gogo, or a-go-go, in abundance
* agrarian
* agree (Old Fr. agreer, compare modern Fr. agréer ["to accept" or "to please"])
* agreeable, compare modern Fr. agréable
* agreeance (Old Fr. agreance)
* agreement (Old Fr. agreement, compare modern Fr. agrément [authorization or amenity])
* agronomy
* ague
* aid (Old Fr. aide)
* aide-de-camp
* aide-mémoire
* aileron
* aim (Old Fr. esmar)
* air
* aisle
* à la, in the style of...
* alabaster, from Old French alabastre (>Latin> Greek> Ancient Egyptian a-labaste)
* à la carte
* à la mode
* alamode
* alarm
* alas, from Old French phrase "ha, las!", compare modern Fr. hélas
* alchemist
* alchemy
* alcove
* alembic Middle Fr. alambic, from Arabic al anbiq
* alert
* algorithm
* alien (Old Fr. alien)
* alienation (Middle Fr. alienation)
* align, (Middle Fr. aligner)
* alignment, (French alignement)
* allegation
* allege
* allegiance (Anglo French legaunce, from Old Fr. legeance, compare modern Fr. allégeance)
* allegorical
* allegory
* allemande
* alley compare allée
* alliance
* allocation
* allot (Old Fr. aloter)
* allotment Fr. alotement
* allow (Old Fr. alouer)
* allowable (Old Fr. alouable)
* allowance (Old Fr. alouance)
* alloy (Anglo Fr. alai, from Old Fr. aleier)
* allude
* allure
* ally (Old Fr. alier)
* almond, (Old Fr. almande, compare modern Fr. amande)
* almoner (Old Fr. almosnier, compare modern Fr. aumônier)
* alter
* alteration
* altruism
* altruistic
* alum
* amass
* amateur
* ambassador
* amber
* ambergris
* ambiance
* ambience
* ambiguity
* ambiguous
* ambition
* amble (Old Fr. ambler)
* ambulance
* ambuscade
* ambush (Old Fr. embuscher)
* amelioration
* amenable
* amend
* amendment
* amends
* amenity
* amerce
* amethyst
* ami
* amiable
* amity
* ammonite
* ammunition, from munition
* amnesty, compare amnistie
* amorous, from Old French, compare modern Fr. amoureux
* amortise
* amount
* amour
* amour-propre
* ampere
* ample
* amplify
* amplitude
* ampoule
* ampul
* amulet (Middle Fr. amulette)
* amuse
* amusement
* anagram
* analogue
* analyse
* analyst
* anatomy
* ancestor (Old Fr. ancestre, compare modern Fr. ancêtre)
* ancestral
* ancestry
* ancien regime
* ancient
* andiron (Old Fr. andier)
* andouille
* anecdote
* angel (Old Fr. angel)
* angelic
* angle
* anguish (from Old French anguisse, now angoisse)
* anime Fr. animé
* animosity
* anise (Old Fr. anis)
* anisette
* annals (Old Fr. annales)
* annelid
* annex, (Old Fr. annexer)
* annihilation
* announce
* announcement
* annoy, from Old French anoier, modern Fr. ennuyer
* annoyance
* annual (Old Fr. annuel)
* annuity (Old Fr. annuité)
* annul (Old Fr. annuler)
* annunciation (Fr. annonciation)
* anoint (Old Fr. enoint, p.p. of enoindre, compare modern Fr. oindre)
* anomy
* anonym (Fr. anonyme)
* antecedent, compare antécédent
* antechamber, compare antichambre
* antelope, (Old Fr. antelop, compare modern Fr. antilope)
* anther, compare anthère
* antibiotic, Fr. antibiotique
* antigen, Fr. antigène
* antique
* antiquity (Old Fr. antiquitet, compare modern Fr. antiquité)
* antler (Anglo-Fr. auntiler, from Old Fr. antoillier, modern Fr. andouiller)
* anus (Old Fr. anus)
* apart (Old Fr. à part)
* apartment, Fr. appartement
* apathy
* apercu, Fr. aperçu
* aperitif, Fr. apéritif
* aphorism
* aplomb
* apologetic
* apologist
* apologue
* apoplectic
* aporetic
* apostille
* apostle (Old Fr. apostle, compare modern Fr. apôtre)
* apostrophe
* apothecary (Old Fr. apotecaire, compare modern Fr. apothicaire)
* appall (Old Fr. apalir, compare modern Fr. pâlir)
* appanage (Old Fr. apanage)
* apparel, (Old Fr. apareillier, compare modern Fr. appareil)
* apparent
* apparition
* appeal
* appear
* appearance
* appease
* appeasement
* appellant
* appellation
* appellee
* apperception
* appertain
* appetence
* appetite
* application
* applique
* apply (Old Fr. aplier, compare modern Fr. appliquer [to implement])
* appoint
* appointee
* appointment
* apportion
* appose
* appraise
* appreciable
* appreciation
* apprehend
* apprise
* approach
* approbation
* appropre
* approvance
* approve
* appurtenance
* appurtenant
* apricot (Fr. abricot, from Port. albricoque, from Arabic al-birquq)
* apron (Old Fr. naperon)
* après-ski
* apropos (Fr. à propos)
* aquarelle
* aquatic
* aqueous
* arabesque
* arable
* arachnid
* arbalest
* arbitrage
* arbitration
* arbitrator
* arbiter
* arbor
* arbour
* arc
* arcade
* arch
* archaic
* archduke
* archeology
* archer
* archery
* archetype
* architect
* architecture
* archives
* arctic
* ardent
* ardour
* are
* arête
* argent (Fr. argent)
* argot
* argue, (Old French arguer)
* argument
* argumentation
* aridity
* aristocracy
* aristocrat
* aristocratic
* arithmetic
* arm [weapon] (Old French arme)
* armagnac
* armament
* armature
* armistice
* armoire
* armorer
* armour
* army
* aromatherapy
* aromatic
* arraign
* arraignment
* arrange
* arrangement
* arras
* array
* arrearage
* arrears
* arrest, from Old Fr. arester
* arrive
* arriviste
* arrogance
* arrogant
* arrondissement
* arsenal
* arsenic
* arson
* art
* art brut
* art deco
* art nouveau
* arterial
* artery
* artesian
* article
* articulation
* artifice
* artificial
* artillery
* artisan
* artist
* artiste
* artistic
* asbestos (Old Fr. abeste)
* ascendant
* ascertain
* ascribe (Old Fr. ascrivre)
* ashlar (Old Fr. aiseler)
* asine
* askance (Old Fr. à escone)
* asp (Middle Fr. aspe, modern Fr. vipère aspic)
* asperity
* aspic
* aspirant
* aspire
* assail
* assailant
* assassin (Fr. assassin, from Arabic hashishiyyin [hashish users])
* assault
* assay
* assemblage
* assemble
* assembly
* assent
* assertion
* assess (Anglo Fr. assesser)
* assessor (Old Fr. assessour, compare modern Fr. assesseur)
* assets (Anglo Fr. asetz, from Old Fr. assez [enough])
* assign
* assignation
* assignee
* assignment
* assist
* assistance
* assistant
* assize
* assonance
* assort
* assuage
* assume
* assurance
* assure
* astonish
* astray
* astrolabe
* astronomy
* atavism
* atelier
* atheism
* atheist
* attach
* attaché
* attachment
* attack
* attain
* attainder
* attainment
* attempt
* attend
* attendance
* attendant
* attentive
* attest
* attestation
* attire
* attitude
* attorn
* attorney (Old Fr. atorné [appointed] p.p. of aturner)
* attraction
* attractive
* attribution
* aubade
* aubain
* aubergine
* auburn
* au courant
* audible
* audience
* audition
* auditor
* au fait
* augment
* augmentation
* augmentative
* au naturel
* au pair
* aunt (Anglo Fr. aunte, from Old Fr. ante, compare modern Fr. tante)
* aureole
* auspices
* austerity
* auteur
* authentic
* author (Old Fr. auctor, compare modern Fr. auteur)
* authorise
* authority
* autoclave
* autocracy
* autocrat
* autocratic
* automobile
* autumn
* avail
* avalanche
* avant
* avant-garde
* avarice
* avaricious
* avaunt
* avenge
* avenue
* aver
* average
* averment
* avert
* aviation (Fr. aviation)
* aviator
* avid (Fr. avide)
* avidity
* avocet
* avoid (Old Fr. evuider)
* avoirdupois
* avouch
* avow (Old Fr. aveu)
* await (Anglo Fr. awaitier, from Old Fr. agaitier)
* award (Anglo Fr. awarder, from Old Fr. esguarder)
* axiom (Fr. axiome)
* aye-aye
* azimuth (Old Fr. azimut, from Arabic as-sumut)
* azure (Old Fr. azur, from Arabic (al)-lazaward, from Persian lajward)

## Contents

* Top
* A
* B
* C
* See also
* References
* External links

## B

* baba au rhum
* baboon (Fr. babouin)
* babouche (Fr. babouche, from Arabic babush, from Persian papush)
* baccarat
* bachelor (Old Fr. bacheler)
* bacon (Old Fr. bacon)
* bacteriophage (Fr. bactériophage)
* badinage
* bagatelle
* baggage, (Old Fr. bagage)
* baguette (Fr. baguette, from Italian bacchetta)
* bail (Old Fr. baillier)
* bailey
* bailiff
* baize
* balance
* baldric (Old Fr. baldre, compare modern Fr. baudrier)
* bale (Old Fr. bale, from Germanic)
* baleen
* ball [dancing party] (Old Fr. baller)
* ballad (Fr. ballade, from Old Provençal ballada)
* ballet (Fr. ballet, from Italian balletto)
* ballon
* balloon (Fr. ballon)
* balm (Old Fr. basme, compare modern Fr. baume)
* baluster (Fr. balustre, from Italian balaustro)
* balustrade (Fr. balustrade, from Italian balaustrata)
* banal
* banality
* band, (Middle Fr. bande)
* bandage
* bandeau
* bandolier
* bandy
* banish (Old Fr. banir, from Frankish *bannjan)
* bank (Old Fr. banque, from Old Italian banca, from Germanic)
* banner
* banquet
* banquette
* baptise (Old Fr. batisier)
* baptism (Old Fr. batesme or bapteme, compare modern Fr. baptême)
* bar (Old Fr. barre)
* barb (Old Fr. barbe)
* bargain (Old Fr. bargaignier)
* barge
* bark [small ship] (Middle Fr. barque)
* baron (Old Fr. baron, from Frankish baro)
* baroness
* baroque
* barque
* barracks
* barrage
* barratry
* barre
* barrel (Old Fr. baril)
* barren, (Old Fr. baraigne)
* barret
* barrette
* barricade
* barrier
* barter (Old Fr. barater)
* base
* basil
* basin
* basket
* bas-relief
* basset (hound)
* bassinet
* bassoon
* bastard
* baste [sew] (Old Fr. bastir)
* bastion
* bate (Old Fr. batre, compare modern Fr. battre)
* bathyscaphe
* baton
* battalion (Middle Fr. bataillon, from Italian battaglione)
* batten (Fr. baton)
* batter
* battery
* battle (Old Fr. bataille)
* battlement
* bauble
* baud
* bauxite
* bay, compare baie
* bayonet, compare baïonnette
* beagle (Fr. bagle)
* beak, (Old Fr. bec)
* Béarnaise, a type of sauce, named after a region in France (Béarn)
* beast (Old Fr. beste, compare modern Fr. bête)
* beatification
* beatitude
* beau, a lover or a dandy
* beau idéal
* beau monde
* beauty (Old Fr. beauté)
* beaux arts, fine arts
* bec de corbin
* bechamel
* beef (Old Fr. buef, compare modern Fr. boeuf)
* beef bourguignon
* beggar (Old Fr. begart)
* begonia
* beige
* beignet
* beldame
* belfry
* belle
* belles-lettres
* benefice (Fr. bénéfice)
* beneficial
* benefit (Anglo-Fr. benfet, compare modern Fr. bienfait)
* benevolent
* benign
* benignity
* benison
* benzoin
* berate
* berceuse
* beret, compare béret
* bergamot
* berline
* berm (Fr. berme, from Old Dutch baerm)
* beryl (Old Fr. beryl, from anc. Greek berullos, from Sanskrit vaidurya)
* bestial
* bête noire
* betray
* bevel
* beverage (Anglo-Fr. beverage, from Old Fr. boivre [to drink], compare modern Fr. Wikt:breuvage)
* bevy
* bezant
* bezel
* bezique
* bias
* bibelot
* bibliophile
* bice (short form of Fr. bleu bis [brownish-grey blue])
* bicycle, compare bicyclette > vélo
* bidet
* bigamy
* bigot
* bigotry
* bijou
* bikini
* bile
* bilge
* biliary
* bilious
* billet
* billet-doux, a love letter
* billiards Fr. billiard, dim. of Old Fr. bille [stick of wood], from Gaulish *bilia [tree]
* billion
* binocular
* biopsy
* biscuit
* bison
* bisque
* bistro
* bittern
* bituminous
* bivouac
* bizarre
* blame
* blanch
* blancmange
* blandish
* blank (Old Fr. blanc)
* blanket, from Old French blanchet (originally "a white cloth")
* blasé
* blaspheme
* blasphemy
* blazon
* blemish
* bleu cheese
* blister
* bloc
* block
* blond
* blonde
* blouse
* bludgeon
* blue Old Fr. blo, from Frankish *blao
* bobbin
* boil (Old Fr. boilir)
* Boise
* boisterous
* bomb
* bombard (Fr. "bombarde")
* bombardier
* bombast
* bombazine
* bombe
* bon appétit
* bonbon
* bonhomie
* bon mot
* bonnet, from Old French, compare modern Fr. bonnet
* bonny
* bon ton
* bon viveur the French use bon vivant instead
* bon voyage
* boot
* booty
* borage
* borax
* Bordeaux wine
* bordello
* border
* botanic
* botany
* bottle
* bouche
* boudoir
* bouffant
* bougainvillea
* bougie
* bouillabaisse
* bouillon
* boule
* boulevard
* boulevardier
* bound (v.) Old Fr. bondir
* bound (n.) Old Fr. bonde
* boundary
* bounty
* bouquet
* bourbon whiskey
* bourdon
* bourgeois
* bourgeoisie
* bourn
* bourse
* boutique
* boutonniere
* bowel
* bowls
* brace
* bracelet
* brach
* bracket
* braggart
* brail
* Braille
* braise
* bran, from Old French bran or bren
* branch
* brandish, compare brandir
* brasserie
* brassiere, compare brassière, although the modern French for this is Wikt:soutien-gorge
* brave
* bravery
* brawn
* bray
* braze
* brazier
* bream
* brevet
* bribe
* bric-a-brac
* brick
* bricolage
* Brie cheese
* brigade
* brigadier
* brigand
* brigantine
* brilliant, compare brillant
* brioche
* briquette
* Britain Old Fr. Bretaigne, from Latin Britannia
* Briton Anglo-Fr. Bretun, from Latin Brittonem
* Brittany Old Fr. Bretaigne, from Latin Britannia
* broach
* brochure, Fr. brochure, from brocher - to stitch
* broderie anglaise, a type of embroidery
* broil
* broker
* bromine
* bronze
* brooch
* brose
* brouhaha
* browse
* Bruce (Norman name)
* bruise Old Fr. bruisier
* bruit
* brulee
* brume
* brunet
* brunette
* brush
* brusque
* brut
* brute
* buccaneer Fr. boucanier
* bucket
* buckle, compare boucle
* buckler
* buckram
* budge
* budget, from Old Fr. bougette (a little purse)
* buff
* buffer
* buffet
* buffoon
* bugle
* bulb
* bulge
* bullet, from boulette, although the modern French for this is balle
* bulletin
* bullion
* bun
* burden compare bourdon
* bureau
* bureaucracy
* bureaucrat
* burette
* burgeon
* burgess
* burglar
* Burgundy wine, Old Fr. Burgondie, now Bourgogne
* burin
* burlesque
* burnish
* bushel
* busk
* busker
* buskin
* bustard
* bustier
* butcher
* butchery
* butler
* butt
* butte
* buttery
* button, Old Fr. boton, compare modern Fr. bouton
* buttress
* buzzard

## Contents

* Top
* A
* B
* C
* See also
* References
* External links

## C

* cabal, compare cabale
* cabaret
* cabbage, Middle Fr. caboche "head"
* cabernet
* cabin
* cabinet
* cable
* cabochon
* cabotage
* cabriolet
* cache, compare cacher
* cache-sexe
* cachet
* cadastral
* caddie Scottish, from Fr. cadet
* cadence
* cadet
* Cadillac, named for Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac
* cadre
* café
* café au lait
* cafetière
* cage
* cagoule
* cahier
* cahoots
* caisson
* caitiff
* cajole, compare cajoler
* cajolery
* Cajun
* calaboose
* calamine
* calamitous
* calamity
* calcify
* calendar Old Fr. calendier, compare modern Fr. calendrier
* calender
* calibre
* caliph Fr. caliphe, from Arabic khalîfa
* caliphate
* calligraphy Fr. calligraphie, from Greek kálos "beautiful" + grapheîn "to write"
* calm
* calmative
* calomel
* caloric
* calorie
* calque
* calumet
* calumny
* Calvinism
* camaraderie
* camber
* camel
* camembert
* camisole Fr. camisole, from Provençal camisola
* camomile
* camouflage
* camp
* campaign, compare campagne
* camphor
* cancan
* canaille
* canal
* canapé
* canard
* canary
* cancel, Anglo-Fr. canceler, evolution of chanceler (1293) (to cross out)
* candy
* cane
* cannon
* cannonade
* canon [clergyman], Anglo-Fr. canun, from Old N. Fr. canonie (compare Fr. chanoine)
* canonise, Old Fr. cannonisier
* canteen
* cantle
* canton
* cantonment
* canvas
* capable
* capacity
* cap-a-pie
* caparison
* cape
* capillarity
* capitalism
* capitalist
* capitulation
* capon Old N. Fr. capon, compare modern Fr. chapon
* capote
* caprice
* capricious
* capsid
* capstan Old Fr. cabestant, from Old Provençal cabestan
* capsule
* captain Old Fr. capitaine
* caption
* captious
* capture
* Capuchin
* car Old N. Fr. carre, from Latin carrus, from Gaulish karros
* carabineer
* carafe
* caramel
* carapace
* carat
* caravan
* caravel
* carbine
* carbon
* carbonate
* carbuncle
* carcass
* card (Fr. carte)
* cardiac
* careen
* career (Fr. carrière)
* caress
* caribou
* caricature
* carillon
* carious
* carmine
* carnage
* carnation
* carnival
* carnivore
* carob, Fr. carobe, from Arabic kharrub
* carol
* carom
* carouse
* carousel
* carp
* carpel
* carpenter
* carpentry
* carpet
* carrack
* carrefour
* carriage
* carrion
* carrot
* carry, Old N. Fr. carrier, (compare Fr. charrier)
* carte blanche
* carte de visite
* cartel
* carter
* Cartesian
* cartilage
* cartography
* carton
* cartouche
* cartridge
* caryatid
* cascade
* case
* casein
* casement
* cash, Middle Fr. caisse
* cashew
* cashier
* cask
* casque
* casserole
* cassette
* cassis
* cassock
* castle, Old North Fr. castel, Old Fr. chastel, compare modern Fr. château
* castor
* casual (Old Fr. casuel)
* casuist, compare casuiste
* cataclysm
* catafalque
* catalogue
* catapult
* catch
* catchpoll
* catechumen
* category
* caterpillar
* catheter
* catholic
* cattle
* caudle
* caul
* cauldron
* caulk
* causative
* cause
* caustic
* cauterize
* caution
* cavalcade
* cavalier
* cavalry, compare cavalerie
* cave
* cavern
* caviar
* cavil
* cavity
* cease Old Fr. cesser
* cedar Old Fr. cedre
* celadon
* celebrant
* celebration
* celebrity
* celerity
* celery
* celestial
* celibate
* cellar
* cellulite
* cellulose
* Celtic
* cement (Old Fr. ciment)
* cemetery
* cenacle
* cenotaph
* cense, compare encenser
* censer (Old Fr. censier)
* censure
* centime (Fr. centime)
* centimetre
* centipede
* centralization
* centre (Old Fr. centre)
* centrifuge
* centrist
* cephalopod
* cere
* cereal
* cerebral
* ceremonious
* cerise
* certain
* certainty
* certificate
* certify
* certitude
* cession
* Chablis
* chafe
* chagrin
* chain
* chair, Old Fr. chaiere "chair", compare modern Fr. chaire "pulpit, throne"
* chaise, Fr. chaise, from Old Fr. chaiere
* chaise longue or sometimes chaise lounge
* chalet
* chalice, Old Fr. chalice or calice, compare modern Fr. calice
* challenge, Old Fr. chalonge (n.) and chalengier (v.)
* challenger, Anglo-Fr. chalengeour
* chamber
* chamberlain, Old Fr. chamberlenc, compare modern Fr. chambellan
* chambray
* chameleon, Old Fr. chameleon, from Latin chamaeleon, from Greek khamaileon
* chamfer
* chamois
* champagne
* champaign
* champertous
* champignon
* champion
* chance
* chancel
* chancellor
* chancery
* chancre
* chandelier
* chandler
* chandlery
* change
* changeable
* channel
* chanson
* chant
* chanteuse
* chanterelle
* chanticleer
* chantilly cream
* chapeau
* chapel
* chaperon
* chaplain
* chaplet
* chapter
* charabanc
* character, Old Fr. caractère
* charade
* charcuterie
* chard
* Chardonnay
* charette
* charge
* chargé d'affaires
* chariot
* charitable
* charity
* charlatan
* Charles, Fr. Charles, from Medieval Latin Carolus, from Middle High Germanic Karl
* charlotte
* charm
* charnel
* chart
* charter
* chartreuse
* chase, Old Fr. chacier, compare modern Fr. chasser
* chaser
* chassé
* chasseur
* chassis
* chaste
* chasten
* chastise
* chastity
* chasuble
* château
* chateaubriand
* chatelaine
* chattel
* chauffeur
* chauvinism
* cheat, Old Fr. escheat
* check, Old Fr. eschec
* checker, Old Fr. eschequier
* checkmate, Old Fr. eschec mat, from Persian shah mat, compare modern Fr. échec et mat
* cheer (Old Fr. chiere)
* chef, Fr. chef
* chemise
* chemist, Fr. chimiste
* chenille
* cheque
* cherish (Old Fr. chériss-)
* cherry, Anglo-Fr. and Old N. Fr. cherise, compare Old Fr. and modern Fr. cerise
* chess, Old Fr. esches
* chestnut
* cheval de frise
* cheval glass
* chevalier
* chevauchée
* chevron
* Cheyenne, Fr. Cheyenne, from Dakota Sahi'yena
* chez
* chic
* Chicago (from Fort Chécagou, from Algonquian)
* chicane
* chicanery
* chichi
* chickpea
* chicory
* chief, Old Fr. chief, compare modern Fr. chef
* chieftain, Old Fr. chevetain, compare modern Fr. cheftaine (only the feminine form remains)
* chiffon
* chiffonade
* chiffonier
* chignon
* chimera
* chimney
* chiromancy
* chisel
* chitin
* chivalrous
* chivalry
* chive
* chloroform
* chlorophyll
* chock
* choice
* choir
* choler
* choleric
* cholesterol
* choreography
* chowder
* Christianity
* chrome
* chromium
* chronic
* chronicle
* chute
* cider
* cigarette
* cinema, Fr. cinéma
* cinematic
* cinematography
* cinnabar
* cinnamon
* cinquain
* circle
* circlet
* circuit
* circular
* circulation
* circulatory
* circumcise
* circumspection
* circumstance
* cirque
* cistern
* citadel
* citation
* cite
* citizen
* citron
* citronella
* city, Old Fr. cite, compare modern Fr. cité
* civet
* civil
* civilian
* civilisation
* civilize
* claim (Old Fr. clamer)
* clairvoyance
* clamor
* clamorous
* claque
* claret
* clarification
* clarify
* clarinet, compare clarinet
* clarion
* clarity
* class
* classic
* classify
* clause
* clavicle
* clavier
* clear
* clechy
* clef
* clement
* clementine
* clergy
* cliché
* client
* clientele
* climate
* clinic
* clinician
* clique
* cloak
* cloche
* clock
* cloisonne
* cloister
* close
* closet, from Old French closet
* closure
* cloture
* clyster
* coach
* coagulation
* coalition
* coast
* coat
* coat of arms
* cocaine
* cochineal
* cock
* cockade
* Cockaigne, Old Fr. Cocaigne, compare modern Fr. pays de Cocagne
* cockatrice
* cockle
* cocoon
* cocotte
* coddle
* code
* codeine
* codicil
* coefficient
* coercion
* Coeur d'Alene
* coffer
* coffin
* cogent
* cogitation
* cogitative
* cognac
* cognisance
* cohabitation
* coherence
* coherent
* cohesion
* cohort
* coif
* coiffeur
* coiffeuse
* coiffure
* coil
* coin, Old Fr. coigne
* coinage
* coincide
* coincidence
* coincident
* Cointreau
* collaboration
* collage
* collagen
* collar, Old Fr. coler
* collateral
* collation
* colleague
* collect
* collection
* collective
* collector
* college
* collegial
* collet
* collision
* colloid
* collusion
* cologne
* colonel, Middle Fr. coronel, compare modern Fr. colonel
* colonnade
* colossal
* colour or color
* colouration or coloration
* columbine
* column
* combat
* combatant
* combination
* combine
* combust
* combustible
* combustion
* comedian and comedienne, compare comédien and comédienne
* comedy
* comestible
* comet
* comfit
* comfiture
* comfort
* comfortable
* comforter
* comity
* command
* commandant
* commander
* commandment
* comme il faut
* commemoration
* commence
* commencement
* commendable
* commendation
* commensal
* comment
* commentary
* commerce
* commercial
* commiseration
* commissariat
* commission
* commissioner
* commode
* commodity
* common
* commotion
* communal
* commune
* communicable
* communication
* communicative
* communion
* communiqué
* communism (Fr. communisme)
* communist
* community, Old Fr. comunalté, modern Fr. communauté
* commutation
* compact
* compaction
* companion
* company, Old Fr. compagnie
* comparable
* comparative
* compare
* comparison
* compartment
* compass
* compassion
* compatible
* compatriot
* compeer
* compel
* compendious
* compensable
* compensation
* compensatory
* compere
* compete
* competence
* competent
* competitor
* compilation
* compile
* compiler
* complain
* complainant
* complaint
* complaisance
* complaisant
* complement
* complete
* complex
* complexion
* complication
* complicity
* compliment, Fr. compliment
* compline
* comply
* comport
* comportment
* compose
* composite
* composition
* compost
* compote
* compound
* comprehension
* comprehensive
* compress
* compression
* comprise
* compromise
* compulsion
* compulsive
* compunction
* computation
* compute
* comrade, Fr. camarade
* concave
* concavity
* conceal
* concealment
* concede
* conceive
* concentric
* concept
* conception
* concern
* concert
* concession
* concessionaire
* concierge
* conciliation
* concision
* conclusion
* conclusive
* concomitance
* concord
* concordance
* concordant
* concordat
* concourse
* concretion
* concubinage
* concubine
* concurrence
* concurrent
* condemn
* condense
* condescend
* condescendence
* condign
* condiment
* condition
* conditional
* conduction
* conductor
* conduit
* condyle
* cone
* coney
* confection
* confederacy
* confederation
* confer
* conference
* confess
* confession
* confessional
* confidant
* confidante
* confidence
* confident
* confine
* confinement
* confirm
* confirmation
* confiscation
* confit
* conflagration
* confluent
* conform
* conformity
* confound
* confraternity
* confrere
* confront
* confrontation
* confusion
* confute
* congeal
* congee
* congener
* congestion
* congratulation
* congregation
* congruity
* conjecture
* conjoin
* conjoint
* conjugal
* conjunction
* conjuncture
* conjuration
* conjure
* conjurer
* connect
* connection
* connoisseur, Old Fr. conoisseor, compare modern Fr. connaisseur
* conquer
* conqueror
* conquest
* consanguine
* consanguinity
* conscience
* conscientious
* conscription
* consecutive
* consent
* consequence
* consequent
* conservation
* conservative
* conservator
* conserve
* consider
* consideration
* consign
* consist
* consistence
* consistory
* consolation
* console
* consommé
* consonance
* consonant
* consort
* conspiracy
* conspirator
* conspire
* constable
* constance
* constant
* constellation
* consternation
* constitution
* constrain
* constraint
* construction
* constructive
* consuetude
* consul
* consult
* consultation
* consume
* consumption
* contagion
* contagious
* contain
* contaminate
* contemn
* contemplation
* contemplative
* contend
* content
* contention
* contentious
* contentment
* contest
* contestant
* contiguity
* continence
* continent
* contingent
* continual
* continuance
* continuation
* continue
* continuity
* contortion
* contour
* contra dance
* contraband
* contract
* contractile
* contraction
* contracture
* contradiction
* contrariety
* contrary
* contrast
* contravene
* contravention
* contretemps
* contribution
* contributor
* contrite
* contrition
* contrive
* control
* controller
* controverse
* controversy
* contumelious
* contumely
* contusion
* convalescence
* convalescent
* convenance
* convene
* convenient
* convent, Old Fr. convent, compare modern Fr. couvent
* convention
* conversant
* conversation
* converse
* conversion
* convert
* convertible
* convex
* convey, Anglo-Fr. conveier, from Old Fr. convoier, compare modern Fr. convoyer
* convive
* convivial
* convocation
* convoke
* convoy
* convulsive
* cooperation
* coordination
* cope
* coppice
* coprolalia
* copulation
* copy
* coquet
* coquetry
* coquette
* coral
* corbel
* cord
* cordage
* cordial
* cordon
* cordwainer
* core
* coriander
* Coriolis force
* corm
* cormorant, Old Fr. cormarenc, compare Mod. Fr. cormoran
* corn [callus on the foot]
* cornelian, Old Fr. corneline, compare Mod. Fr. cornaline
* corner
* cornet
* corniche
* coronal
* coroner
* coronet
* corporal (n.) Middle Fr. corporal, from Italian caporale, compare Mod. Fr. caporal
* corporal (adj.) Old Fr. corporal, compare Mod. Fr. corporel
* corps
* corpse
* corpulence
* corpulent
* correct
* correction
* corrective
* correlation
* correspond
* corridor, Fr. corridor, from Italian corridore
* corrigible
* corrode
* corrosion
* corrosive
* corrupt, Old Fr. corropt
* corruptible
* corsage
* corsair
* corset
* cortege
* corvee
* corvette
* cost
* costal
* costive
* costume
* coterie
* cotillion
* cottage
* cotton, Old Fr. coton
* couch
* cougar
* coulee
* coulomb
* council
* counsel
* counsellor
* count (v.), Old Fr. cunte, from Latin computare, compare Mod. Fr. compter
* count (n.), Old Fr. conte, from Latin comitem, compare Mod. Fr. comte
* countenance
* counter
* counteract
* counterargument, counter+argument, compare contre-argument
* counterattack, counter+attack, compare contre-attaque
* counterbalance, counter+balance, compare contrebalancer
* counterculture, counter+culture,compare contreculture
* counterfeit, Old Fr. contrefait
* counterintelligence, counter+intelligence, compare contre-intelligence
* countermand, Old Fr. contremander
* counteroffer, counter+offer, compare contre-offre
* counterpart, Middle Fr. contrepartie
* counterpoint
* counterpoise, Old Fr. contrepois, compare Mod. Fr. contrepoids
* countersign, Middle Fr. contresigne
* countervail, Anglo-Fr. countrevaloir, from Old Fr. contrevaloir
* countess
* country, Old Fr. cuntree, compare Mod. Fr. contrée
* county, Anglo-Fr. counte, compare comté
* coup
* coup d'état
* coup de grâce
* coupe
* couple
* couplet
* coupon
* courage, Old Fr. corage, compare Mod. Fr. courage
* courageous
* courant
* courgette
* courier
* course
* courser
* court
* court martial, Fr. cour martiale
* courteous
* courtesan
* courtesy
* courtier
* couscous, Fr. couscous, from Arabic kuskus
* cousin, Old Fr. cosin
* couture
* couturier
* covenant
* cover, Old Fr. covrir
* coverlet
* covert
* coverture
* covet
* covetous
* covey
* coward
* cowardice
* coy
* cramp
* crap
* crappie
* craps [game]
* crass
* cravat
* crayfish, Old Fr. crevice, compare Mod. Fr. écrevisse
* crayon
* cream
* creamery
* creation
* creator
* creature
* creche
* credit
* creditor
* credulity
* Cree
* crème
* crème brûlée
* crème caramel
* crème de la crème
* crème de menthe
* crenel
* crenelate
* creole
* crêpe
* creperie
* crepuscule
* crescent
* crest
* cretin
* cretonne
* crevasse
* crevice
* crew
* cricket, Old Fr. criquet
* crime
* criminal
* criminality
* crinoline
* critic
* critique
* Cro Magnon
* crochet
* crocket
* crocodile
* croissant
* crone
* croquet
* croquette
* crotch
* crotchet
* crouch
* croupier
* crouton, from the diminutive form of the old French word croust, (later to come into modern French as the word croûte), meaning 'crust'.
* crown, Anglo-Fr. coroune, from Old Fr. corone, compare Mod. Fr. couronne
* crozier
* cru
* crucial
* crucifix
* crucify
* crudités
* crudity
* cruel
* cruelty
* cruet
* crusade
* crusader
* crush
* crust, Old Fr. crouste, compare Mod. Fr. croûte
* cry, Old Fr. crier
* crystal
* crystalline
* cube
* cubic
* cubism
* cuckold
* cuckoo
* cucumber
* cuirass
* cuisine
* cul-de-sac
* cull
* culmination
* culotte
* culpable
* culprit
* cult, Fr. culte
* cultivation
* culture, Fr. culture
* cuneiform
* cupidity
* curable
* curation
* curative
* curb
* cure
* curette
* curfew, Old Fr. covrefeu, compare Mod. Fr. couvre-feu
* curie
* curiosity
* curious
* curlew
* currant
* current
* currier
* curry (v.)
* curry favor
* cursive
* cursory
* curtail
* curtain
* curtilage
* cushion
* custard
* custom, from Old Fr. coustume, compare modern Fr. coutume
* cutlass
* cutler
* cutlery
* cutlet
* cyclic
* cygnet
* cylinder
* cymbal
* cynosure
* cypress
* cystic
* cystocele

## Contents

* Top
* A
* B
* C