chevron

rafter, chevron

noun shuh-VROHN Rare

Also means

chevron (heraldry/insignia)

Usage Note

Chevron originally meant a rafter (roofing timber) and by extension the V-shaped heraldic symbol that resembles roof timbers. In everyday modern French it refers most often to a sergeant's stripe or a V-shaped decorative pattern on fabric. The plural chevrons is used for military rank stripes.

Examples

"Le soldat porte deux chevrons sur sa manche."

Natural Translation

The soldier wears two chevrons on his sleeve.

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