Gallicism

or gal·li·cism

[ gal-uh-siz-uhm ]

/ ˈgæl əˌsɪz əm /

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noun

a French idiom or expression used in another language, as Je ne sais quoi when used in English.

a feature that is characteristic of or peculiar to the French language.

a custom or trait considered to be characteristically French.

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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.

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Origin of Gallicism

First recorded in 1650–60; from French gallicisme; see Gallic, -ism

Words nearby Gallicism

gallic, gallic acid, Gallican, Gallicanism, Gallice, Gallicism, Gallicize, Galli-Curci, Gallienus, galligaskins, gallimaufry

How to use Gallicism in a sentence

Boutefeu, a gallicism for incendiary: in Dryden's time it was a word of good reputation, but is now obsolete.
The Works of John Dryden. Now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 15.|John Dryden
If any elegant scholar will translate that Gallicism for me literally, I shall feel obliged to him.
Sword and Gown|George A. Lawrence
But this association proved so helpless that it could not even hinder the invasion of Gallicism in the eighteenth century.
The Civilisation of the Renaissance in Italy|Jacob Burckhardt
This, translated into French, became that horrible gallicism: la btise Biche.
The Lord of the Sea|M. P. Shiel

It is a Gallicism, but all the better, where one desires to be imperative, and yet vague.
Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume I.|Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for Gallicism

Gallicism

/ (ˈɡælɪˌsɪzəm) /

noun

a word or idiom borrowed from French

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