parlant

expressive, lifelike

adjective par-LAHN Rare

Also means

speaking (in compound terms)

Usage Note

Parlant as an adjective means vivid or telling — un portrait parlant is a lifelike portrait that 'speaks' to you. It is also the present participle of parler (speaking), seen in le cinéma parlant (talking pictures, as opposed to silent film). The feminine is parlante.

Examples

"Ce tableau est d'une ressemblance parlante."

Natural Translation

This painting is strikingly lifelike.

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