Gallic

Gallic
Gallic (adj.) 1670s, from L. Gallicus "pertaining to Gaul or the Gauls," from L. Gallia "Gaul" and Gallus "a Gaul" from a native Celtic name (see GAELIC (Cf. Gaelic)), though some connect the word with prehistoric W.Gmc. *walkhoz "foreigners" (see WELSH (Cf. Welsh)). Originally used in English rhetorically or mockingly for "French." The cock as a symbol of France is based on the pun of Gallus "a Gaul" and L. gallus "cock."
It means not simply 'French,' but 'characteristically', 'delightfully', 'distressingly', or 'amusingly' 'French' ... not 'of France', but 'of the typical Frenchman'. [Fowler]

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Gallic — is an adjective that may refer to: *Gaul, from which the name derives, a region of Europe comprising present day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and parts of the Netherlands and Germany *Roman Gaul, a Roman province in Gaul… …   Wikipedia

  • Gallic — Gal lic (277), a. [From {Gall} the excrescence.] Pertaining to, or derived from, galls, nutgalls, and the like. [1913 Webster] {Gallic acid} (Chem.), an organic acid, very widely distributed in the vegetable kingdom, being found in the free state …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gallic — Gal lic, a. [From {Gallium}.] (Chem.) Pertaining to, or containing, gallium. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gallic — Gal lic, a. [L. Gallicus belonging to the Gauls, fr. Galli the Gauls, Gallia Gaul, now France: cf. F. gallique.] Pertaining to Gaul or France; Gallican. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Gallic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) of or characteristic of France or the French. 2) of or relating to the Gauls. DERIVATIVES Gallicize (also Gallicise) verb. ORIGIN Latin Gallicus, from Gallus a Gaul …   English terms dictionary

  • Gallic — [gal′ik] adj. [L Gallicus < Galli, the Gauls] 1. of ancient Gaul or its people or culture 2. French …   English World dictionary

  • gallic — [gal′ik] adj. Chem. of or containing trivalent gallium …   English World dictionary

  • Gallic — [[t]gæ̱lɪk[/t]] ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n Gallic means the same as French. You sometimes use Gallic to describe ideas, feelings, or actions that you think are very typical of France and French people. The proposal has provoked howls of Gallic… …   English dictionary

  • gallic — gallic1 /gal ik/, adj. Chem. of or containing gallium, esp. in the trivalent state. [GALL(IUM) + IC] gallic2 /gal ik, gaw lik/, adj. pertaining to or derived from plant galls: gallic acid. [1785 95; < F gallique; see GALL3, IC] * * * …   Universalium

  • gallic — adjective a) Of, pertaining to, or derived from galls b) Of or pertaining to gallic acid or its derivatives …   Wiktionary

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