nuée
swarm, dense cloud
noun nweh-EH Rare
Origin: Old French nue 'cloud', from Latin nubes
Also means
flock (of birds)
Usage Note
Nuée evokes a large, dense, moving mass — most often of insects, birds, or people. The volcanic term nuée ardente (literally 'burning cloud') refers to a fast-moving pyroclastic flow and is widely known from accounts of the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée in Martinique.
Examples
"Une nuée de moucherons envahit le jardin."
Natural Translation
A swarm of gnats invaded the garden.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
FrenchNow
5 min read
FrenchNow
6 min read
FrenchNow
5 min read