Also means
to mould
Usage Note
Pétrir primarily means to knead dough for bread-making, a central verb in French boulangerie. Figuratively it means to shape or mould someone's character — pétri de défauts ('riddled with faults') is a fixed expression. The verb belongs to the second conjugation (-ir, like finir) and is fully regular. The noun pétrissage refers to the kneading process itself.
Examples
"Il pétrit la pâte pendant dix minutes."
Natural Translation
He kneads the dough for ten minutes.
Related Words
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