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filleul

godson

noun fee-YUL Rare

Usage Note

Filleul is the male godchild of a parrain (godfather) or marraine (godmother). The feminine form is filleule (goddaughter). The relationship is established at baptism in Catholic tradition and implies a duty of care and guidance. In informal French, parrain/filleul relationships also exist in mentoring or sponsorship contexts outside religion.

Examples

"Son parrain a emmené son filleul au cirque."

Natural Translation

His godfather took his godson to the circus.

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