French Conversation · Level 130
46 words
French word
damoiseau
Pronunciation
IPA/damwazo/
Meaning
- masculine nounyoung nobleman
Example
Dans les romans, le damoiseau défend l'honneur de sa famille.
In novels, the young nobleman defends his family's honor.
More examples
En plaisantant, il a traité son ami de damoiseau.
Jokingly, he called his friend a young nobleman.
Core concept
A noble youth standing between the family household and the training ground, not yet a fully established knight.
Similar words
noble: A person of high social rank or noble title.
gentilhomme: A cultured, courteous man from the upper or upper-middle class.
Definition in French
Désigne un jeune homme de la noblesse, parfois en apprentissage pour devenir chevalier.
Word origin
The French form developed from Old French damoisel or damoiseau, ultimately linked to Latin dominus through a diminutive form for a young nobleman.
Usage tips
- Damoiseau is masculine, while demoiselle is the related feminine form; English damsel is not a masculine equivalent and has a different modern sense.
Other meanings
- squirenoun