foison

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English foisoun, from Old French foison, from Latin fūsiōnem. Doublet of fusion.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

foison (plural foisons)

  1. (archaic) An abundance, a rich supply of.
    • 1820, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Oedipus Tyrannus; Or, Swellfoot The Tyrant: A Tragedy in Two Acts:
      The earth did never mean her foizon
      For those who crown life’s cup with poison
      Of fanatic rage and meaningless revenge—
      But for those radiant spirits, who are still
      The standard-bearers in the van of Change.
  2. (archaic) Harvest.
    • 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies [] (First Folio), London: [] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], page 7:
      Gon. [] Treaſon, fellony, / Sword, Pike, Knife, Gun, or neede of any Engine / Would I not haue : but Nature ſhould bring forth / Of it owne kinde, all foyzon, all abundance / To feed my innocent people.
  3. (chiefly Scotland) Strength, power.

Translations[edit]

French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Inherited from Middle French foison, from Old French foison, inherited from Latin fūsiōnem. Doublet of fusion, a borrowing.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /fwa.zɔ̃/
  • (file)

Noun[edit]

foison f (uncountable)

  1. (dated) abundance, great deal, load
    J’ai foison de copinesI've got plenty of girlfriends.

Derived terms[edit]

Further reading[edit]

Middle French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old French foison.

Noun[edit]

foison f (plural foisons)

  1. much; a lot of

Descendants[edit]

  • French: foison

Old French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Inherited from Latin fūsiōnem.

Noun[edit]

foison oblique singularf (oblique plural foisons, nominative singular foison, nominative plural foisons)

  1. much; a lot of

Descendants[edit]