DCHP-1 Online

French ((adj.))

• 1 adj. of or associated with French Canada, especially Quebec, or with French Canadians.

  See also: French-Canadian (def. 1a)  

  • 1908  French habitants were no more anxious to have their heads broken in other men's quarrels than the Orkneymen of the Old Country. . . .
  • 1963  The attitude . . . spread to the French element in Red River, the French-Canadian traders and the metis buffalo-hunters and freighters

• 2 descended from the settlers of New France.

  See also: French-Canadian (def. 1b)  

  • 1673  (1942)  That Mr. Kirke bee desired to treate for provideing Such french goodes as may be necessary.
  • 1799  (1955)  No sooner were we in sight of it, than the postmaster, his wife in her close French cap, and all the family came running out to receive us.
  • 1842  It is our firm conviction that the murderer of lieut. Weir, if supported by the leaders of the Canadian party, could be returned as member for any French County in Lower Canada, so abject is the submission of Canadian constituencies to the advice of their leaders.
  • 1916  He spoke of the French question.
  • 1966  Throughout Quebec it's the French, not the English, doctors who are making the most noise in favor of birth control.