fossoyeur

gravedigger

noun foh-swah-YER Rare

Also means

one who undermines or destroys

Usage Note

Fossoyeur literally means a person who digs graves (fosse = pit/grave). Figuratively it is used for anyone who brings about the destruction of something, as in le fossoyeur de la démocratie (the gravedigger of democracy) — a common rhetorical device in political commentary. The feminine form fossoyeuse exists but is rare.

Examples

"Le fossoyeur creusait une tombe."

Natural Translation

The gravedigger was digging a grave.

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