Word origins

• archducalPertaining to an archduke or archduchess.
• archetViolin bow.
• archetierOne who builds, repairs, and restores the bows of instruments in the violin family.
• archiaterThe chief, or highest-ranked physician of a prince, city or country, such as the Holy Roman Empire
• arcureA type of espalier where the plants are fashioned into strata of arches.
• ArdècheA department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, south-central France. Capital: Privas.
• ArdouinA surname from French.
• areicOf or pertaining to area; especially used to describe a measurement per unit area.
• areoleAny of the smallest enclosures created by the veins of a leaf.
• arêteA very thin ridge of rock.
• ArgentéA rabbit of an old French show breed having silvery top fur.
• AriègeA department of Occitania, France (INSEE code 09).
• arietteA short aria, or air.
• arkoseAn arenite sandstone consisting of at least 25% feldspar grains.
• ArmanetA surname from French.
• armatorA shipowner.
• armetA type of mediaeval helmet which fully enclosed the head and face, first found in the 1420s in Milan.
• armureA fabric woven with a raised pattern similar to chain mail.
• ArpajonA city in Essonne department, France.
• ArpavonA commune of Drôme department, France.
• arquebusadeThe shot of an arquebus.
• arrestationThe act of stopping or slowing something (especially a process).
• arrêtA formal sentence of the King or Parliament of France; hence, a decree, a ruling.
• Arrien-en-BethmaleArrien-en-Bethmale (a village and commune of Ariège department, Occitania, France).
• arrière-gardeThe rearguard of an army or other force.
• arrière-penséeA mental reservation or ulterior motive.
• arrière-voussureAn arch behind a door or window.
• ArronvilleA commune of Val-d'Oise department, Île-de-France, France.
• ArrouetA surname from French.
• art decoA style of decorative art (often used in household objects) and architecture originating in the 1920s and 1930s, characterized by bold geometric forms, strong contrasting colours, and simple composition.
• ArtiguesA village and commune of Ariège department, Occitania, France.
• art nouveauA decorative style of art and architecture that especially used the sinuous and flowing lines of plants.
• ascendeurA metal grip that attaches to a rope sling and can be tightened to hold a climber or loosened to allow the climber to move.
• ascensorAn elevator.
• AsnièresAny of numerous communes in France.
• assartForest land cleared for agriculture.
• assembléA jump that takes off from one foot and lands on both feet.
• à troisFor or between three parties. Often used in reference to alliances.
• attachéA diplomatic officer, usually one who plays a specific role.
• atteleta small decorative metal skewer used for serving food
• attentismeA policy of waiting; a waiting game.
• aubaineThe inheritance of the property of an unnaturalized foreigner, in particular in France during feudalism and the Ancien Régime.
• aubergisteAn innkeeper or landlord in French-speaking countries.
• au contraireOn the contrary.
• au courantUp to date; informed about the latest developments; abreast.
• AuderghemA municipality of Brussels, Brussels Capital Region, Belgium.
• AudettA surname from French.
• audiencierA bailiff in certain French courts.
• AudureauA surname from French.
• au faitBeing familiar with or informed about something.
• AugierA surname from French.
• au gratinCovered with a crust of breadcrumbs (and often cheese) then browned under a grill.
• au jusPrepared or served in or with gravy made from its own juices.
• au naturelOf a person: not wearing makeup and with one's natural hair colour.
• au pairOn a working basis by which work done by one party is rewarded by benefits (especially board and lodging) rather than by monetary remuneration.
• AurèsThe Aurès Mountains, located in northeastern Algeria.
• au revoirGoodbye; till we meet again.
• AurignacA village in Haute-Garonne department, France.
• autofictionA blend of autobiography and fiction; faction.
• autogestionself-management (joint control by workers and management)
• automobilistThe driver of an automobile.
• AuzenneA surname from French.
• avalementA technique of flexing the knees while skiing.
• avant-corpsA part of a building, such as a porch or pavilion, that juts out from the corps de logis, often taller than other parts of the building.
• avant la lettreBefore the term was coined (the term being a word or phrase used just previously in an anachronistic way)
• avant-texteThe study of a written work by analyzing the process of composition, including prior manuscripts, rough drafts, etc.
• avoyerA chief magistrate of various free imperial cities or cantons of Switzerland.
• AvrechyA commune in Oise department, Hauts-de-France, France.
• axiniteA borosilicate of aluminum, iron, and lime, commonly found in glassy, brown crystals with acute edges.
• axungeFat or grease, especially of a pig or goose.
• AydelotteA surname from French.
• azaroleAny member of the species Crataegus azarolus of shrubs of southern Europe, related to hawthorn.
• azedarachAn Asiatic tree (Melia azedarach), common in the southern United States, commonly called bead tree, chinaberry, etc.
• baba au rhumA yeast cake soaked in a syrup containing rum.
• baboucheA Turkish or Moroccan slipper having no heel.
• backetA shallow wooden trough for carrying ashes, coals, etc.
• BacotA surname from French.
• badaudA person given to idle observation of everything, with wonder or astonishment; a credulous or gossipy idler.
• badelaireA short sword with a heavy, curved blade and S-shaped quillions.
• badianStar anise.
• badigeonA cement or paste (often made with plaster and freestone, or of sawdust and glue or lime) used by sculptors and builders to fill holes, cover defects, or finish a surface.
• badinagePlayful raillery; banter.
• badineA short, decorated switch or rod, carried by the fashionable in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• badinerieA brief and lively dance.
• Bagnères-de-LuchonA city in Haute-Garonne department, Occitania, France.
• bahutA portable coffer or chest with a rounded lid covered in leather, garnished with nails, once used for the transport of clothes or other personal luggage. It was the original portmanteau.
• bain-marieA large pan containing hot water, into which other smaller pans are set in order to cook food slowly, or to keep food warm.
• baisemainsrespects; compliments
• balancelleA garden seat in the form of a swing.
• balançoireSwinging the working leg between front and back through first position, usually in conjunction with grands battements or attitudes and involving seesaw-like shifting of the upper body in opposition to the legs.
• balayageA hair colouring technique in which colour is applied by hand.
• balayeuseA protecting ruffle or frill, as of silk or lace, sewn close to the lower edge of a skirt on the inside.
• baldacchinA rich, embroidered brocade used for clothing in the Middle Ages, the web being gold and the woof silk.
• BalducA surname from French.
• balghaA type of North African leather slippers used as general footwear.
• balladineA female public dancer.
• balletomaneA ballet enthusiast.
• ballistiteA smokeless propellant made from nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine without a solvent, developed in the 1880s and still used, e.g., for artillery rockets like Grad.
• ballon d'essaiA policy put forward to test reactions; something designed to test the waters, an experimental measure.
• Ballon d'OrA prestigious award in football, presented annually by the magazine France Football, and given to the player deemed to be the best of the previous season.