élan

See also elan, elän, and Elan

English

Alternative forms

• elan

Etymology

Borrowing from French élan.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /eɪˈlɑːn/

Noun

élan (uncountable)

1. Spirit, zeal, ardor.

Usage notes

• Not to be confused with eland, the name of two African antelopes.

Related terms

• élan vital

Translations

spirit, zeal

• Finnish: into (fi), säpinä (fi), kiihko (fi), palo (fi)
• German: Elan (de) m

• Swedish: stil och fart (sv), schvung (sv), geist (sv)

Anagrams

• enal, Lane, lane, lean, Lena, Neal

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French

Pronunciation

• IPA: /e.lɑ̃/, X-SAMPA: /e.lA~/

• Audio (France, Paris)

  (file)

• Homophone: élans

Etymology 1

Deverbal of élancer.

Noun

élan m (plural élans)

1. spirit
2. momentum

   Il prend son élan.

   He is gaining momentum.

3. (sports) run up

Etymology 2

From a Baltic language.

Noun

élan m (plural élans)

1. moose/elk