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gazelle

gazelle

noun gah-ZEL Rare

Usage Note

Gazelle entered French from Arabic ghazāl via Spanish or Italian. In North African French, gazelle is also an affectionate term of address. The animal is associated with speed and grace, and the phrase courir comme une gazelle ('to run like a gazelle') describes a nimble runner.

Examples

"Une gazelle traversait la savane en courant."

Natural Translation

A gazelle was running across the savanna.

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