French word

éminence

Pronunciation

IPA/eminɑ̃s/

Meaning

  • feminine nounprotrusion

Example

L'éminence du rocher gêne le passage.

The rock's protrusion obstructs the passage.

Illustration for éminence (protrusion)

More examples

Une éminence scientifique est souvent consultée pour son avis.

A scientific luminary is often consulted for their opinion.

Core concept

A projecting height that can describe a physical feature or exceptional prominence.

Similar words

réputation: The public's general opinion or assessment of someone or something.
influence: The power to affect others or influence how things develop.
prestige: The high regard and social respect attached to someone or something.
renommée: The state of being widely known and admired.

Definition in French

Élévation ou saillie par rapport à l'entourage, pouvant désigner soit un relief physique soit une position de supériorité reconnue.

Word origin

Éminence is inherited from Latin eminentia through Old French; its base, eminere, referred to standing out or rising above.

Usage tips

  • In Son Éminence, the word belongs to a formal ecclesiastical title rather than ordinary conversational vocabulary.

Other meanings

  • eminencenoun

Opposites

  • médiocritémediocritynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word