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traînée

trail, streak

noun treh-NEH Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Appearance

Also means

slut (vulgar)

Usage Note

Traînée primarily means a streak or trail left by something moving — une traînée de lumière (a streak of light) or une traînée de poudre, meaning a trail of gunpowder and used in the idiom se répandre comme une traînée de poudre (to spread like wildfire). Learners should be aware that it also carries a strong vulgar insult meaning; context makes the sense clear, but caution is advised.

Examples

"Une traînée de fumée traverse le ciel."

Natural Translation

A trail of smoke crosses the sky.

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