enivrer

to intoxicate, to inebriate

verb ahn-ee-VREH Rare

Origin: Latin inebriare

Also means

to exhilarate, to intoxicate (figuratively)

Usage Note

Enivrer can describe the physical effect of alcohol but is very commonly used figuratively for any overwhelming sensation — enivré par le succès (intoxicated by success) or enivré par le parfum des fleurs. The reflexive s'enivrer means to get drunk or to revel in something. Its register is literary or elevated compared to soûler.

Examples

"Le parfum des roses l'enivrait."

Natural Translation

The scent of the roses intoxicated her.

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