French Conversation · Level 88
60 words
French word
fouille
Pronunciation
IPA/fuj/
Meaning
- feminine nounsearch
Example
La police a organisé une fouille dans le quartier.
The police conducted a search in the neighborhood.
More examples
Les bagages ont subi une fouille avant l'embarquement.
The luggage underwent a search before boarding.
Core concept
A close inspection that exposes what is concealed by searching a person, object, or stretch of ground.
Common phrases
faire une fouille
conduct a search
fouille des bagages
luggage search
fouille au corps
body search
Similar words
contrôle: A check of identity or belongings when entering or passing through a place.
fouille de bagages: An inspection of luggage to find prohibited or dangerous items.
fouille corporelle: A physical search under clothing to find weapons or dangerous items.
Definition in French
Désigne l'action de chercher attentivement quelque chose en examinant des lieux, des objets ou des personnes, parfois en creusant ou en retournant des contenants.
Word origin
The noun fouille derives from fouiller, itself descended from Old French foillier and ultimately Latin fodere, 'to dig'; the older digging sense broadened to thorough searching.
Usage tips
- For a formal police search of a home or other premises, French often uses perquisition, while fouille commonly refers to a person, belongings, or a physical search.
Other meanings
- body searchnoun
- excavationnoun
Related words
- fouillersearchverb
- fouillésearchedadjective