noise

quarrel, row (archaic/literary)

noun NWAZ Rare

Origin: Old French noise, tumult, from Latin nausea

Usage Note

Noise in French (feminine) means a quarrel or dispute — it is unrelated in meaning to English 'noise' (which is bruit). It appears mainly in the fixed expression chercher noise à quelqu'un, meaning to pick a quarrel with someone. It is archaic in standalone use and rarely appears outside this idiom.

Examples

"Il cherche toujours noise à ses voisins."

Natural Translation

He is always picking quarrels with his neighbours.

Literal Translation

He seeks always quarrel to his neighbours.

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