French Conversation · Level 122
60 words
French word
pourfendre
Pronunciation
IPA/puʁfɑ̃dʁ/
Meaning
- verbcleave
Example
Le chevalier pourfend l'ennemi d'un seul coup.
The knight cleaves the enemy with a single blow.
More examples
En cuisine, il pourfend le rôti pour le servir.
In cooking, he slices through the roast to serve it.
Core concept
A forceful blade stroke that drives through a solid target and splits it.
Similar words
fendre: Split an object lengthwise by applying force along it.
couper: Cut an object with a tool or blade.
déchirer: Tear cloth or paper apart by hand or with force.
Definition in French
Couper ou fendre avec force en traversant quelque chose, souvent en un seul coup ; terme soutenu.
Word origin
Pourfendre comes from Old French porfendre, formed with pour- meaning through and fendre, from Latin findere, meaning to split.
Usage tips
- Pourfendre follows the fendre pattern in the present tense, giving je pourfends, tu pourfends, and il pourfend.