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Translation

affaire d'honneur

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Word: Affaire d'honneur

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: An "affaire d'honneur" is a term that refers to a prearranged fight between two people, often using weapons, to resolve a disagreement that is considered important to their honor. This type of duel usually involves "seconds," who are people that support or assist the fighters.

Usage Instructions:
  • The term is quite formal and is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is mostly found in historical contexts or in literature, especially when discussing dueling or honor-related conflicts.
Example Sentence:
  • "In the 19th century, if two gentlemen had a disagreement about a matter of honor, they might settle it with an affaire d'honneur."
Advanced Usage:
  • In modern contexts, the term may be used metaphorically to describe any serious confrontation or conflict that revolves around personal pride or honor, even if it doesn't involve physical fighting.
Word Variants:
  • There are no direct variants of the term "affaire d'honneur," but it can be broken down into its components:
    • "Affaire" (French for "affair" or "matter")
    • "Honneur" (French for "honor")
Different Meanings:
  • While "affaire d'honneur" specifically refers to a duel or fight, the word "affaire" can also mean "business" or "situation" in general. "Honneur" relates to concepts of respect, reputation, and integrity.
Synonyms:
  • Duel: A formal combat between two people.
  • Combat: A fight or struggle.
  • Confrontation: A meeting or argument between opposing parties.
Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
  • "To settle a score": This phrase means to resolve a dispute, often by retaliation or conflict, though it does not necessarily imply a duel.
  • "To defend one's honor": This phrase means to take action to protect one's reputation or integrity, which may lead to confrontations.
Summary:

In summary, "affaire d'honneur" is a historical term that describes a duel intended to resolve disputes of honor.

Noun
  1. a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor

Synonyms

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