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geôlier

jailer

noun zhoh-LYEH Rare

Origin: Old French gaole (jail), from Medieval Latin gabiola

Usage Note

Geôlier is an archaic or literary word for a prison guard; modern French uses gardien de prison or surveillant pénitentiaire. The feminine form is geôlière. The word descends from geôle (jail), which gave English 'gaol', making it one of the more visually striking words for learners.

Examples

"Le prisonnier supplia son geôlier de le libérer."

Natural Translation

The prisoner begged his jailer to release him.

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