Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
veiller au grain. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
veiller au grain, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
veiller au grain in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
veiller au grain you have here. The definition of the word
veiller au grain will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
veiller au grain, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
French
Etymology
Expression arises from maritime use: grain is a sudden, violent gust of wind, accompanied with or without rain; veiller au grain means to watch for, or be on guard for, unpredictable meteorological events that can endanger an ill-prepared crew or damage a frail, poorly sheltered boat.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /vɛ.je o ɡʁɛ̃/ ~ /ve.je o ɡʁɛ̃/, (more formal) /vɛ.je.ʁ‿o ɡʁɛ̃/ ~ /ve.je.ʁ‿o ɡʁɛ̃/
Verb
veiller au grain
- (literal) to be on guard for a sudden, violent gust of wind
- (figurative) to keep an eye on things, to look out for squalls, to keep a weather eye open
1992, Amélie Nothomb, translated by Alison Anderson, Hygiène de l'assassin; republished as Hygiene and the Assassin, 2010:Déjà les biographes veillaient au grain.- Biographers were already hovering.