bercail

fold, home (figurative)

noun behr-KAHY Rare

Usage Note

Bercail is used almost exclusively in figurative expressions: rentrer au bercail means to return to the fold or return home, often after a long absence. It has no plural form in modern French. Its literal meaning (sheepfold) survives mainly in religious imagery (brebis égarée returning to the shepherd's flock).

Examples

"Il est enfin rentré au bercail."

Natural Translation

He finally returned to the fold.

Literal Translation

He finally returned to-the fold.

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