gabelle

[ guh-bel ]

/ gəˈbɛl /

Save This Word!

noun

a tax; excise.

French History. a tax on salt, abolished in 1790.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of gabelle

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English gabul, gabel (probably confused with gavel²), from Middle French, from Italian gabella, from Arabic qabālah “tax, receipt”

OTHER WORDS FROM gabelle

ga·belled, adjective

Words nearby gabelle

Gabbai, gabble, gabbro, gabby, Gabe, gabelle, gaberdine, gaberlunzie, Gaberones, Gabès, gabfest

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gabelle in a sentence

Gabelle, word of German origin (gabe), originally applied to all taxes, came to signify only the tax on salt.
The Life of Joan of Arc, Vol. 1 and 2 (of 2)|Anatole France
The Gabelle, which led to several rebellions, was not abolished until the Revolution .
The Life of Joan of Arc, Vol. 1 and 2 (of 2)|Anatole France
By means of a draft on the receiver of taxes and the gabelle officer of the town, two hundred golden saluts were paid for it.
The Life of Joan of Arc, Vol. 1 and 2 (of 2)|Anatole France
These imposts and that of the gabelle were henceforth permanent.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 8|Various

Go, you are for the old self-called princes of the peace, together with the wranglers against the Cardinal and the gabelle.
Cinq Mars, Complete|Alfred de Vigny

British Dictionary definitions for gabelle

gabelle

/ (ɡæˈbɛl) /

noun

French history a salt tax levied until 1790

Derived forms of gabelle

gabelled, adjective

Word Origin for gabelle

C15: from Old Italian gabella, from Arabic qabālah tribute, from qabala he received

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012