4th-5th Grade Spelling List (4- French)

peloton- [pel-uh-ton, pel-uh-ton]-noun- an ornamental glass made in Bohemia in the late 19th century, usually having a striated overlay of glass filaments in a different color.  They had a beautiful peloton on display.

bivouac [biv-oo-ak, biv-wak]-noun- a military encampment made with tents or improvised shelters, usually without shelter or protection from enemy fire.   The soldiers were quite exposed in their bivouac.

burgeon- [bur-juh n]-verb- to grow or develop quickly; flourish.    He burgeoned into a fine actor.

caffeine [ka-feen, kaf-een, kaf-ee-in]-noun-a white, crystalline, bitter alkaloid, C ₈  H ₁₀  N ₄  O ₂  , usually derived from coffee or tea.    Caffeine used in medicine chiefly as a nervous system stimulant.

chartreuse- [shahr-trooz, -troos]-noun-a clear, light green with a yellowish tinge.    She chose chartreuse pillows for her taupe couch.

clairvoyant- [klair-voi-uh nt]-adj- having or claiming to have the power of seeing objects or actions beyond the range of natural vision.     Not being clairvoyant, I did not foresee the danger of ignoring her advice. 

cliché- [klee-shey, kli-]-noun- a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser,  or strong as an ox.      His speech was full of old cliches.

etiquette- [et-i-kit, -ket]-noun- conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion. Here are some tips on good etiquette to remember while chatting.

impasse- [im-pas, im-pas]-noun- a position or situation from which there is no escape; deadlock. Their work had reached an impasse because they were not able to produce enough enzyme for use in further studies.

entrepreneur- [ahn-truh-pruh-nur, -noor]-noun- a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.  Over the years, he has tended to view himself more as a craftsman than an entrepreneur.

macaque- [muh-kak, -kahk]-noun- any monkey of the genus Macaca,  chiefly of Asia, characterized by cheek pouches and, usually, a short tail: several species are threatened or endangered.   Each monkey still threatens its mirror image as it would a macaque  intruder.

seiche- [seysh]-noun- an occasional and sudden oscillation of the water of a lake, bay, estuary, etc., producing fluctuations in the water level and caused by wind, earthquakes, changes in barometric pressure, etc.    Ground shaking may cause seiche, the rhythmic sloshing of water in lakes or bays.

sacrilege- [sak-ruh-lij]-noun- the violation or profanation of anything sacred or held sacred.   Where nature is sacred, the violation and exploitation of nature are sacrilege. 

superpose- [soo-per-pohz]-verb- to place above or upon something else, or one upon another.   Onto that three- dimensional skull the computer can superpose other elements with different densities, creating a cutaway.

fiancée- [fee-ahn-sey, fee-ahn-sey]-noun- a woman engaged to be married.  He gave his beautiful fiancee a large marquis cut diamond ring.

barrage- [buh-rahzh]-noun- Military . a heavy barrier of artillery fire to protect one's own advancing or retreating troops or to stop the advance of enemy troops.   The barrage continued through the next day. 

chagrin- [shuh-grin]-noun- a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation.   The real action, much to their chagrin, takes place elsewhere.

pacifism- [pas-uh-fiz-uh m]- opposition to war or violence of any kind.   The word pacifism was coined by the French peace campaigner Émile Arnaud.

manicure- [man-i-kyoo r]-noun- a cosmetic treatment of the hands and fingernails, including trimming and polishing of the nails and removing cuticles. Manicure and/or pedicure implements are not visibly clean. 

altruism- [al-troo-iz-uh m]- the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (opposed to egoism ).  Altruism towards strangers, for example, charity.

bureaucracy- [byoo-rok-ruh-see]-noun- government by many bureaus, administrators, and petty officials.  Fighting corruption and fighting bureaucracy have to go hand in hand.

mascot- [mas-kot, -kuh t]-noun- an animal, person, or thing adopted by a group as its representative symbol and supposed to bring good luck.    The U.S. Navy mascot is a goat.

parfait- [pahr-fey]-noun- a dessert of ice cream and fruit or ice cream and syrup in alternate layers, often topped with whipped cream and served in a tall, narrow, short-stemmed glass.   Imagine a layered cake, a parfait or any layered dessert.

mystique- [mi-steek]-noun- a framework of doctrines, ideas, beliefs, or the like, constructed around a person or object, endowing the person or object with enhanced value or profound meaning.  There is a mystique about trout that is rivaled by no other fish.

layette-[ley-et]-noun- an outfit of clothing, bedding, etc., for a newborn baby.    A layette is a gift you give someone after they have first had a baby.

boutique-[boo-teek]-noun- a small shop or a small specialty department within a larger store, especially one that sells fashionable clothes and accessories or a special selection of other merchandise.   Maureen wanted to use her management experience to open her own boutique.

croquet- [kroh-key]-noun- a game played by knocking wooden balls through metal wickets with mallets.  They included active games such as bocce, croquet or disc golf.

gorgeous- [gawr-juh s]-adj.- splendid or sumptuous in appearance, coloring, etc.; magnificent.  Many restaurants offer outdoor dining overlooking the gorgeous views of the river and downtown.

denture- [den-cher]-noun- an artificial replacement of one or several of the teeth (partial denture) or all of the teeth (full denture)  of either or both jaws; dental prosthesis.  Pain or discomfort from ill-fitting dentures can often be eliminated or reduced.

 mirage [mi-rahzh]-noun- an optical phenomenon, especially in the desert or at sea, by which the image of some object appears displaced above, below, or to one side of its true position as a result of spatial variations of the index of refraction of air.   It dances like a mirage in my vision. 

denim- [den-uh m]-noun- a heavy, Z-twist, twill cotton for jeans, overalls, and other work and leisure garments.      Premium denim brands are rushing into this market too. 

cachet- [ka-shey, kash-ey]-noun- a sign or expression of approval, especially from a person who has a great deal of prestige.    When he trails about in his Armani suit he gives cachet to my garden.

 neologism- [nee-ol-uh-jiz-uh m]-noun- a new word, meaning, usage, or phrase.  The word is a neologism  combining the tank of tank top with the end of the word bikini. 

beige- [beyzh]-noun- very light brown, as of undyed wool; light gray with a brownish tinge.  Most of the snakes had handsome beige or brown markings.  

diplomat- [dip-luh-mat]-noun- a person appointed by a national government to conduct official negotiations and maintain political, economic, and social relations with another country or countries.    The diplomat  presents a tax exemption card bearing an eagle symbol.

motif- [moh-teef]-noun- a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work.  The hotel's signature orchid motif can be seen below the water's surface.

suave- [swahv]-adj.- (of persons or their manner, speech, etc.) smoothly agreeable or polite; agreeably or blandly urbane.   Though he's anything but suave, sophisticated or debonair, he's a joy to behold. 

foyer- [foi-er, foi-ey]-noun- fireplace, hearth (originally a room to which theater audiences went for warmth between the acts).  As it happened, she arrived before he did and was waiting for him in the foyer.

clementine- [klem-uh n-tahyn, -teen]-noun- a small, sweet variety of tangerine with orange-red skin.  Clementines are said to be named after a Father Clément,  who developed the fruit near Oran. 

ambulance- [am-byuh-luh ns]-noun- a specially equipped motor vehicle, airplane, ship, etc., for carrying sick or injured people, usually to a hospital.   They laid him down and waited for the ambulance.

rehearse- [ri-hurs]-verb- to practice (a musical composition, a play, a speech, etc.) in private prior to a public presentation.  Members of the honor guard rehearse final salute to a deceased veteran stronger. 

leotard- [lee-uh-tahrd]--noun- a skintight, one-piece garment for the torso, having a high or low neck, long or short sleeves, and a lower portion resembling either briefs or tights, worn by acrobats, dancers, etc.  Participants should wear a t-shirt and shorts or a leotard and have bare legs and feet. 

prairie- [prair-ee]-noun- an extensive, level or slightly undulating, mostly treeless tract of land in the Mississippi valley, characterized by a highly fertile soil and originally covered with coarse grasses, and merging into drier plateaus in the west.  Native prairie plants can spruce up your property and benefit wildlife.

diorama- [dahy-uh-ram-uh, -rah-muh]-noun- a scene, often in miniature, reproduced in three dimensions by placing objects, figures, etc., in front of a painted background.    Tell students they will draw or make a diorama  about one aspect of the expedition. 

entourage- [ahn-too-rahzh]-noun- a group of attendants or associates, as of a person of rank or importance.  The opera singer traveled with an entourage of 20 people.

fuselage- [fyoo-suh-lahzh, -lij, -zuh-, fyoo-suh-lahzh, -zuh-]-noun- Aeronautics -the complete central structure to which the wing, tail surfaces, and engines are attached on an airplane.  Notice that the propeller is located behind the fuselage.

boudoir- [boo-dwahr, -dwawr]-noun- a woman's bedroom or private sitting room.   Adjoining the bedroom is the boudoir, furnished in the same motif.

collage- [kuh-lahzh, koh-]-verb- to make a collage of.   The artist has collaged old photos, cartoon figures, and telephone numbers into a unique work of art.

amenable- [uh-mee-nuh-buh l, uh-men-uh-]-adj.- ready or willing to answer, act, agree, or yield; open to influence, persuasion, or advice; agreeable; submissive; tractable.  Some venues are more amenable than others.

expertise- [ek-sper-teez]-noun- expert skill or knowledge; expertness; know-how.  The hard skills are the technical expertise you need to get the job done.

matinee- [mat-n-ey]-noun- an entertainment, especially a dramatic or musical performance, held in the daytime, usually in the afternoon.   The event sold out so quickly that they added a matinee.

plateau- [pla-toh]-noun- a land area having a relatively level surface considerably raised above adjoining land on at least one side, and often cut by deep canyons.  North on a high plateau the warmer climate does us good.

sortie- [sawr-tee]-noun- a rapid movement of troops from a besieged place to attack the besiegers.   With an average sortie length for the squadron of about ten hours, the crews put up with sore rumps.

croquette- [kroh-ket]-noun- a small cake or ball of minced meat, poultry, or fish, or of rice, potato, or other food, often coated with beaten egg and bread crumbs, and fried in deep fat.     She served rice croquettes as her appetizers for the dinner party. 

physique- [fi-zeek]-noun- physical or bodily structure, appearance, or development.        After years of close attention to his physique, he is suddenly fat.

elite- [ih-leet, ey-leet]-noun- ( often used with a plural verb ) the choice or best of anything considered collectively, as of a group or class of persons.   They were ruled by militaristic warrior-priests, part of a small, wealthy elite.

deluxe- [duh-luhks, -loo ks]-adj. - of special elegance, sumptuousness, or fineness; high or highest in quality, luxury, etc.  Guests choose from among standard, deluxe and single rooms for long-term stays.

nougat- [noo-guh t, noo-gah]-noun- a chewy or brittle candy containing almonds or other nuts and sometimes fruit.   The nougat industry is a major consumer of almonds as well.

rouge-[roozh]-noun-any of various red cosmetics for coloring the cheeks or lips.  She had to apply rouge for her part in the play. 

escargot- [es-kar-goh]-noun- an edible snail.   Specialties include garlic escargot, pan-fried redfish meuniere, and bananas foster. 

crochet- [kroh-shey]-noun- needlework done with a needle having a small hook at one end for drawing the thread or yarn through intertwined loops.   It consists of a rope web filled with contrasting crochet patterns. 

regime- [ruh-zheem, rey-, or, sometimes, -jeem]-noun- a mode or system of rule or government.  The regime  executed people who tried to adapt by engaging in private business.

doctrinaire- [dok-truh-nair]-noun- a person who tries to apply some doctrine or theory without sufficient regard for practical considerations; an impractical theorist.  He is clearly not the best legal mind in the country and he is rather doctrinaire.

tutu- [too-too]-noun- a short, full skirt, usually made of several layers of tarlatan or tulle, worn by ballerinas.   The costumes for this scene are especially lovely, including aurora's white tutu and sunburst tiara. 

 bevel- [bev-uh l]-noun- an adjustable instrument for drawing angles or adjusting the surface of work to a particular inclination.   Failure of the bevel machine operator to attend safety meetings.

menu- [men-yoo, mey-nyoo]-noun- a list of the dishes served at a meal; bill of fare.    The addition to its menu is the biggest diversification ever attempted by the burger giant.

egalitarian- [ih-gal-i-tair-ee-uh n]-adj.- asserting, resulting from, or characterized by belief in the equality of all people, especially in political, economic, or social life.   Initially America was a much more egalitarian place, a republic founded against the notion of royalty. 

quiche- [keesh]-noun- a pielike dish consisting of an unsweetened pastry shell filled with a custard and usually containing cheese and other ingredients, as vegetables, seafood, or ham.  Remove from oven and quickly arrange tomato and asparagus on top of the quiche in a wagon wheel pattern.

 fatigue- [fuh-teeg]-noun- weariness from bodily or mental exertion.  Managing chronic fatigue syndrome can be as complex as the illness itself. 

garage- [guh-rahzh, -rahj]-noun- a building or indoor area for parking or storing motor vehicles.  The space was going to be used for an office building and parking garage. 

morgue- [mawrg]-noun- a place in which bodies are kept, especially the bodies of victims of violence or accidents, pending identification or burial.   Relief workers carried corpses to an ice rink that had been converted into a morgue.

stethoscope- [steth-uh-skohp]-noun- an instrument used in auscultation to convey sounds in the chest or other parts of the body to the ear of the examiner.  The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs. 

vogue- [vohg]-noun- something in fashion, as at a particular time.  Short hairdos were the voguein the twenties.

musicale- [myoo-zi-kal]-noun- a music program forming the main part of a social occasion.  The mission of Matinee Musicale Cincinnati is to spotlight emergent talent in the field of classical music. 

palette- [pal-it]-noun- a thin and usually oval or oblong board or tablet with a thumb hole at one end, used by painters for holding and mixing colors.   Every room in my house is in a beige and brown palette.

flamboyant- [flam-boi-uh nt]-adj.- strikingly bold or brilliant; showy.   It's hardly a surprise that the humble is often less successful than the flamboyant.

baton- [buh-ton, ba-, bat-n]-noun- Music- a wand used by a conductor.  As the conductor raised his baton the musicians raised their instruments.

souvenir- [soo-vuh-neer, soo-vuh-neer]-noun- a usually small and relatively inexpensive article given, kept, or purchased as a reminder of a place visited, an occasion, etc.; memento.  Statuettes are produced at a nearby souvenir factory.

impasse- [im-pas, im-pas]-noun- a position or situation from which there is no escape; deadlock.   Attempts were made however to try to overcome the apparent impasse.

finesse- [fi-ness]-noun- skill in handling a difficult or highly sensitive situation; adroit and artful management.  Her movements had infinite finesse, delicacy and emotional dimension.

maladroit- [mal-uh-droit]-adj.- lacking in adroitness; unskillful; awkward; bungling; tactless.   Most damaging of all were his maladroit dealings with the army.

Challenge Words 

gauche- [gohsh]-adj.- lacking social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness; awkward; crude; tactless.   Some will find it gauche; others will enjoy its boldness. 

rapport- [ra-pawr, -pohr, ruh-]-noun- relation; connection, especially harmonious or sympathetic relation.  So there was none of that familial domestic rapport she had with us.

camouflage- [kam-uh-flahzh]-noun- the act, means, or result of obscuring things to deceive an enemy, as by painting or screening objects so that they are lost to view in the background, or by making up objects that from a distance have the appearance of fortifications, guns, roads, etc.     In winter, they sport a brilliant white coat that provides excellent camouflage in the land of ice and snow.

soubrette- [soo-bret]-noun- a maidservant or lady's maid in a play, opera, or the like, especially one displaying coquetry, pertness, and a tendency to engage in intrigue.  She has proved her cleverness in soubrette parts during the last five months.

velocipede- [vuh-los-uh-peed]-noun- a vehicle, usually having two or three wheels, that is propelled by the rider.  Level setup with inclined tripod on motor velocipede.

jardiniere- [jahr-dn-eer, zhahr-dn-yair]-noun- various vegetables diced and boiled or glazed, used for garnishing meat or poultry.   Jardiniere de legumes is a delicious, healthy garden vegetable dish, that's simple to prepare.

virgule- [vur-gyool]-noun- Printing- a short oblique stroke (/) between two words indicating that whichever is appropriate may be chosen to complete the sense of the text in which they occur.    The defendant and/or his/her attorney must appear in court.

debacle- [dey-bah-kuh l, -bak-uh l, duh-]-noun- a complete collapse or failure.    The violence and hatred unleashed were the defining debacle of the decade.

lorgnette- [lawrn-yet]-noun- a pair of opera glasses mounted on a handle.  Grandma's long-handled lorgnette are the sort found in many an attic, and is likely to be Victorian in date. 

fusillade- [fyoo-suh-leyd, -lahd, -zuh-]-noun- a simultaneous or continuous discharge of firearms.  In a fusillade of nails and other bits of metal two victims were killed and fifty-six wounded.

saboteur- [sab-uh-tur]-noun- a person who commits or practices sabotage.

He who is loyal is by definition not a spy or a saboteur.

renaissance- [ren-uh-sahns, -zahns, -sahns, ren-uh-sahns, -zahns, -sahns]-noun- the activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century, marking the transition from the medieval to the modern world.     The renaissance was a period of rebirth in literature, music and other classics.

chauvinism- [shoh-vuh-niz-uh m]-noun- the denigration, disparagement, and patronization of either sex based on the belief that one sex is inferior to the other and thus deserving of less than equal treatment or benefit.    Chauvinism is a very negative belief system. 

recidivist- [ri-sid-uh-vist]-noun- Psychiatry-a person with the chronic tendency toward repetition of criminal or antisocial behavior patterns.   Most of the recidivist smokers were puffing again within two months. 

chassis- [chas-ee, -is, shas-ee]- Automotive- the frame, wheels, and machinery of a motor vehicle, on which the body is supported.    Chassis is the rectangular, usually steel frame, supported on springs and attached to the axles. 

détente- [dey-tahnt]-noun- a relaxing of tension, especially between nations, as by negotiations or agreements.  Detente refers to an easing of international tension. 

raconteur- [rak-uh n-tur]-noun- a person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly.  And his friends knew him as a highly entertaining mimic and raconteur.

mayonnaise- [mey-uh-neyz, mey-uh-neyz]-noun- a thick dressing of egg yolks, vinegar or lemon juice, oil, and seasonings, used for salads, sandwiches, vegetable dishes, etc.    Spread mayonnaise mixture over the cut sides of the rolls.

surveillance- [ser-vey-luh ns, -veyl-yuh ns]-noun- a watch kept over a person, group, etc., especially over a suspect, prisoner, or the like.   The suspects were under police surveillance.

repertoire- [rep-er-twahr, -twawr, rep-uh-]-noun- the entire stock of works existing in a particular artistic field.  A new play has been added to the theatrical repertoire.

Magdalenian- [mag-duh-lee-nee-uh n]-adj.- of or pertaining to the final Paleolithic culture of much of western Europe, dating from c13,000–10,000 b.c. and notable for its artifacts of bone, antler, and ivory and for the cave art of western France and northeastern Spain.  The Magdalenian people were chiefly fishermen and reindeer hunters. 

dossier- [dos-ee-ey, -ee-er, daw-see-ey , -see-er]-noun- a collection or file of documents on the same subject, especially a complete file containing detailed information about a person or topic.  Your privacy can also be invaded if the government compiles an extensive dossier about you.

taupe- [tohp]-noun- a moderate to dark brownish gray, sometimes slightly tinged with purple, yellow, or green.   These plastic lawn chairs come in white, green and taupe. 

poignant- [poin-yuh nt, poi-nuh nt]-adj.- affecting or moving the emotions.   Steinbeck's classic novel remains the most poignant portrait of that migration.

garçon- [gar-sawn]-noun- (usually in direct address) a waiter in a restaurant.  The man said, "Garcon, we are ready to order".

absinthe- [ab-sinth]-noun- a green, aromatic liqueur that is 68 percent alcohol, is made with wormwood and other herbs, and has a bitter, licorice flavor: now banned in most Western countries.   Absinthe drinkers talk about seeing the green faerie.

arabesque- [ar-uh-besk]-noun- a pose in ballet in which the dancer stands on one leg with one arm extended in front and the other leg and arm extended behind.   The ballerina ended her dance with an arabesque.

beldame- [bel-duh m, -dam]-noun- an old woman, especially an ugly one; hag.

The beldame wondered the streets looking for a place to rest.

lieutenant- [loo-ten-uh nt]-noun- a person who holds an office, civil or military, in subordination to a superior for whom he or she acts: If he can't attend, he will send his lieutenant.     Immaculate in his pressed ceremonial dress, he looked every inch a second lieutenant.

protégé- [proh-tuh-zhey, proh-tuh-zhey]-noun- a person under the patronage, protection, or care of someone interested in his or her career or welfare.    The first rule of patronage has always been that the protégé's actions and manner reflect on the patron.

coprolalia- [kop-ruh-ley-lee-uh]-noun- Psychiatry-the obsessive use of obscene or foul language  Coprolalia can be a symptom of Tourette Syndrome.

carabineer- [kahr-uh-buh-neer]-noun- a soldier equipped with a carbine.   A carabineer is a soldier who carries a carbine rifle.

denudation- [den-yoo-dey-shuh n, dee-noo-, -nyoo-]-noun- Geology - the exposing or laying bare of rock by erosive processes.     Denudation incorporates the mechanical, biological and chemical processes of erosion, weathering and mass wasting.

mélange- [mey-lahnzh, -lahnj]-noun- a mixture; confusion.   Surrounded by full-length windows, its setting is a melange of skylights, brushed steel and warm wood tones.

blasé- [blah-zey, blah-zey]-adj.- indifferent to or bored with life; unimpressed, as or as if from an excess of worldly pleasures.  He knows all too well what can happen with a blase attitude. 

fête- [feyt, fet]-noun- a day of celebration; holiday.   The Fourth of July is a great American fete.

ingenue- [an-zhuh-noo, -nyoo]-noun- the part of an artless, innocent, unworldly girl or young woman, especially as represented on the stage.   The ingenue couldn't see garden-variety jealousy when it smacked her with her own rising star.

rendezvous- [rahn-duh-voo, -dey-]-noun- an agreement between two or more persons to meet at a certain time and place.     They were to meet at the imperial duck-hunting grounds. 

meuniere- [muh n-yair]-adj.- (of food, especially fish) dipped in flour, sautéed in butter, and sprinkled with lemon juice and chopped parsley.   The word meuniere actually  means "miller's wife".

cloisonné- [kloi-zuh-ney]-noun-enamelwork in which colored areas are separated by thin metal bands fixed edgewise to the ground.  Their caps and lapels glittered with cloisonne pins that are awarded to or traded among participants at every bonspiel. 

communiqué- [kuh-myoo-ni-key, kuh-myoo-ni-key]-noun- an official bulletin or communication, usually to the press or public.  The final communique will be released in a few hours.

connoisseur- [kon-uh-sur, -soo r]-noun- a person who is especially competent to pass critical judgments in an art, particularly one of the fine arts, or in matters of taste: a connoisseur of modern art.    He was a true audiophile and connoisseur of jazz in particular.

jalousie- [jal-uh-see]-noun- a blind or shutter made with horizontal slats that can be adjusted to admit light and air but exclude rain and the rays of the sun.   Note awning or jalousie windows which do not effectively close.

peignoir- [peyn-wahr, pen-, peyn-wahr, pen-]-noun- a woman's dressing gown.    Momma wears matching nightgowns and robes called peignoir sets and they are all different colors of yellow, pink, and peach.

discomfiture-noun- [dis-kuhm-fi-cher]-noun- disconcertion; confusion; embarrassment.

Few chief financial officers are comfortable discussing their discomfiture in public.

effervescence- [ef-er-ves-uh ns]-noun- the rapid escape of gas from a liquid.    Acidity is a crucial component in sparkling wine, balancing the flavors and the effervescence with a sense of crisp liveliness.

fainéant- [fey-nee-uh nt]-noun- An irresponsible or lazy person.   Her father was a hardship because he was a fainéant.