turbo

noun TÜR-bo Rare

Origin: Latin turbo 'spinning top, whirlwind'

Also means

turbocharger

Usage Note

Turbo is used in French both as a standalone noun for a turbocharger (le turbo) and colloquially to mean high speed or intensity — mettre le turbo means 'to kick into high gear'. As an invariable adjective it modifies nouns: un moteur turbo, une version turbo. The feminine gender is sometimes assigned when turbo is short for turbomachine.

Examples

"La voiture est équipée d'un turbo puissant."

Natural Translation

The car is fitted with a powerful turbo.

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