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bercer

rock, cradle

verb behr-SEH Rare
Body & Health Movement

Also means

lull, soothe

Usage Note

Bercer literally describes rocking a baby or a boat, but figuratively means to delude or comfort someone with false hopes — se bercer d'illusions means 'to deceive oneself with illusions'. The related noun berceau (m) means 'cradle'. The -cer spelling requires a cedilla before a/o: il berçait.

Examples

"Elle berçait doucement son bébé dans ses bras."

Natural Translation

She gently rocked her baby in her arms.

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