ecstasy

ecstasy (drug)

noun ek-stah-ZEE Rare

Origin: English 'ecstasy', ultimately from Greek ekstasis 'standing outside oneself'

Usage Note

Ecstasy in French refers specifically to the illicit drug MDMA, borrowed unchanged from English. It is treated as a masculine noun. For the emotional state of rapture or intense joy, French uses extase (feminine). Learners should not confuse ecstasy (drug) with extase (the feeling), which are the same root but distinct words in French.

Examples

"La police a saisi de l'ecstasy lors du contrôle."

Natural Translation

The police seized ecstasy during the check.

Literal Translation

The police seized ecstasy during the control.

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