French word

massue

Pronunciation

IPA/masy/

Meaning

  • feminine nounclub

Example

L'enfant joue avec une massue en plastique.

The child is playing with a plastic club.

Illustration for massue (club)

More examples

On a trouvé une massue dans le garage hier.

We found a club in the garage yesterday.

Core concept

A blunt wooden or metal club with a thick body for a heavy strike.

Similar words

bâton: A long, narrow tool designed to be gripped and used by hand.
matraque: A solid baton used for restraining people by force.
gourdin: A thick handheld stick used for beating someone.

Definition in French

Désigne un instrument contondant formé d'un bâton épais, employé pour frapper ou briser par un coup lourd.

Word origin

The word comes through Old French from masse, a term for a heavy lump, and became associated with a club used to strike.

Usage tips

  • English mace often suggests a decorated weapon with a metal head, whereas French massue more broadly denotes a blunt, heavy club.

Other meanings

  • macenoun

Word lists with this word