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injure

insult, slur

noun ahn-ZHOOR Rare

Usage Note

Injure is a false friend: it means 'insult' or 'abusive word', not 'injury' (which is blessure or préjudice). The related verb injurier means to hurl abuse at someone. In legal French, injure can constitute a criminal offence when directed at a person.

Examples

"Il lui a lancé des injures dans la rue."

Natural Translation

He hurled insults at him in the street.

Literal Translation

He launched insults at him in the street.

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