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piétaille. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
piétaille, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
piétaille in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
piétaille you have here. The definition of the word
piétaille will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
piétaille, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
French
Etymology
Inherited from Middle French, from Vulgar Latin *peditalia (“foot soldier”). By surface analysis, pied (“foot”) + -aille (derogatory suffix). Compare piéton (“pedestrian”).
Pronunciation
Noun
piétaille f (uncountable)
- (derogatory, archaic) foot soldiers; infantry
- Synonym: infanterie
- (derogatory) pedestrians (in a group)
2012, Jean-Claude Castex, Répertoire Des Combats Franco-anglais de la Guerre de Cent Ans (1337-1453), page 150:"Tuez la piétaille! Tuez la piétaille! Ils nous gênent et tiennent le chemin sans raison !" s’écrièrent le noble roi de France et le duc d’Alençon.- (please add an English translation of this quotation)
- (figuratively) people of low rank or status
2016, Jean Théodoridès, Un Grand Médecin et Biologiste Casimir-Joseph Davaine (1812—1882), page 148:Selon Dubois, cet historique « montre comment les grandes découvertes sont préparées par les efforts obscurs de la piétaille scientifique ».- (please add an English translation of this quotation)
Further reading