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étalon

stallion

noun eh-tah-LOHN Rare
Animals & Nature Farm Animals

Origin: from Old French 'estalon', of Germanic origin, related to 'stable'

Also means

standard (benchmark)

Usage Note

Étalon has two main meanings: an uncastrated male horse (un étalon pur-sang — a thoroughbred stallion) and a reference standard or benchmark (l'étalon-or — the gold standard). Both senses are masculine. The phrase étalon-or (gold standard) is common in economic and figurative contexts meaning the highest benchmark.

Examples

"L'étalon galopa à travers le pré."

Natural Translation

The stallion galloped across the meadow.

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