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klaxon

horn

noun klak-SOHN Rare
Travel & Places Transportation

Origin: French trade name 'Klaxon', from Klaxon Co. (US)

Also means

car horn

Usage Note

Klaxon originally referred to a specific brand of electric horn, but in French it has become the generic word for any car horn. The verb klaxonner (to honk) is fully standard and informal. A related use is sonner le klaxon, but simply klaxonner is more natural. In French cities, excessive horn-use is legally restricted.

Examples

"Il appuya sur le klaxon pour avertir."

Natural Translation

He pressed the horn to give warning.

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