goupil

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See also: Goupil

French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Inherited from Middle French goupil, from Old French gupil, golpil, gulpil, vorpil, volpil, from Vulgar Latin *vulpīculus, alteration of Latin vulpēcula (fox kit), diminutive of vulpēs. Compare goupille. See also Old Italian volpiglio, Occitan volpìlh, Catalan volpell, Portuguese golpelha, Spanish vulpeja.

The initial g- suggests influence from a Germanic word in w-, most likely Frankish *wulf (wolf). Compare gui and gaine with the same Frankish influence on a Latin-derived word.

Replaced by renard, by euphemism.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ɡu.pil/, /ɡu.pi/
  • (file)

Noun[edit]

goupil m (plural goupils)

  1. (archaic) fox
    Synonym: renard

Further reading[edit]