19796 words found
L'aquila is a feminine Italian noun meaning "the eagle" and also a proper name used for places in Italy, notably a city in Abruzzo. It refers to the bird itself or to the municipality, and is used with the definite article. The pronunciation emphasizes the second syllable, with a clear final vowel, and adheres to standard Italian phonotactics. The term is frequently encountered in geography, history, and cultural contexts.
A French-derived feminine noun referring to a female from Arles, or to a character in Alphonse Daudet’s writings and related works. The term carries cultural and musical associations (notably Bizet’s piece and literature), and in broader use it can describe a woman embodying Arlesian quirk or romanticism. In pronunciation, expect a fluid liaison between vowels and a silent final -enne that softens to -enne.
L'chaim is a Hebrew noun meaning “to life,” used as a toast similar to ‘to life!’ in Jewish ceremonial and casual contexts. It is typically pronounced as a two-syllable exclamation with a soft, aspirated initial consonant and a rolling “ch” sound, conveying celebratory sentiment when toasting. The expression is culturally iconic, signaling goodwill and communal blessing during meals and celebrations.
L'enfant is a French adjective meaning “the child” (as a compound noun in practice when used as an epithet or attribute, e.g., the child-like). In French it’s used in contexts implying youth or childish qualities and appears in phrases like l’enfant terrible. The pronunciation blends French liaison and nasal vowel patterns, making it notably distinct from English phonology.
A French phrase meaning “The state is me,” historically attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte to denote absolute monarchical power. It is a controversial, iconic slogan used to illustrate autocratic authority and the fusion of state and ruler. In modern usage, it often appears in discussions of political theory, satire, and historical analyses of imperial ambition.
L'occitane is a French-origin proper noun used as a brand name (notably for cosmetics). It denotes the Occitan language region in southern France and evokes the brand’s Provençal heritage; the pronunciation preserves French phonology and the initial liaison sound. In practice, it’s treated as a single proper noun with stressed syllables on the second and final parts, depending on context and familiarity with French pronunciation rules.
La Belle Dame Sans Merci (often capitalized as La Belle Dame Sans Merci) is a famous French-derived literary epithet used in English poetry to describe a beautiful woman who brings doom or misfortune. The phrase translates literally as “the beautiful lady without mercy,” and it’s most recognized from John Keats’s ballad, where it functions as a title-like epithet and refrain. In broader usage, it can refer to a lyrical, archaic feminine figure within a narrative.
La Boheme is a proper noun referring to the famous French opera, and in broader usage to its associated literary and musical works. In French, it denotes a bohemian lifestyle; in English contexts it names the opera or its productions. The term carries connotations of Parisian bohemia, art, and romantic tragedy, often invoked with a refined, theatrical register.
La Dolce Vita is an Italian phrase literally meaning "the sweet life"; it refers to a luxurious, carefree lifestyle or the idea of enjoying pleasure and beauty. Used broadly in culture, film, and everyday speech, it conveys a sense of indulgence, leisure, and joie de vivre rather than any concrete health or moral judgment. In English contexts, it’s often a stylistic nod to Italian chic and cinema.
La Jolla is a coastal community of San Diego, California, known for its beaches and scenery. In everyday use, people often refer to it by its local pronunciation rather than spelling. The term blends Spanish-origin place names and typical Anglophone adaptation, resulting in a distinctive pronunciation not obvious from the spelling alone.
La Mancha is a proper noun referring to a region in Spain, famously associated with Don Quixote. It also denotes a wind-blown, elevated plain; the term carries cultural and geographic specificity rather than general meaning. In usage, it’s capitalized and used when identifying the Spanish region or referring to it in literary or historical contexts.
La Marseillaise is the national anthem of France, historically tied to the French Revolution. It is a ceremonial and patriotic song that is often performed at state events and sports occasions. The title translates roughly as “The Song of Marseille,” but the refrain and verse contain vivid revolutionary imagery and rhythm that make it distinctive in French voice and choral tradition.
La Paz is a proper noun referring to the capital city of Bolivia (and to the region around it). It is pronounced with two syllables in Spanish-influenced form and often anglicized in English contexts. In Spanish, the stress falls on the second syllable of La and Paz is a distinct word, yielding a two-word proper noun used in geographic and political contexts.
La Petite Mort is a French phrase meaning 'the small death,' used in English to denote a sexual orgasm. As a proper noun, it’s often capitalized and referenced within literary, artistic, or cultural contexts. The term conveys a refined, almost literary nuance and should be treated with attention to the original French pronunciation and rhythm when spoken in English discourse.
La Porte is a French proper noun used as a surname or place name, and in English contexts may refer to a town or a surname of French origin. It is pronounced with a two-syllable cadence, roughly la-PORTE, and often carries a French stress pattern. The phrase can function as a location identifier, a family name, or part of a business or organization title when used in English discourse.
La Quinta Inns & Suites is a hotel brand name spoken as a proper noun. It combines a Spanish-influenced place-name element with an English plural possessive, pronounced in natural speech as a single proper noun phrase. Expect emphasis on the second word and slight vowel reductions in fluent, fast speech.
La Reine Le Veut is a French verb phrase meaning “The Queen wants.” It is used in narratives and dialogue to express desire or intention attributed to a female subject. While each word has distinct pronunciation, together they form a fluid, legato phrase typical of French prosody and eliders in rapid speech.
La Rochefoucauld is a French noble surname, best known from the prominent 17th‑century writer François de La Rochefoucauld. It denotes a family name used in literary and historical contexts and is commonly encountered in discussions of maxims, philosophy, and French literature. Pronouncing it accurately requires handling French phonology and a multi-syllabic capitalization pattern.
La Salle (lah sal) is a proper noun used as a surname and place name, notably referring to the French explorer René-Rugues (René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle) and institutions or locales named in his honor. It is French in origin and is typically pronounced with silent final e in English contexts, incorporating French-style vowels and a soft 'l' sound depending on anglicization.
Laban is a proper noun used as a surname or given name of Middle Eastern origin, often encountered in academic, religious, or cultural contexts. It denotes a personal name rather than a common object, and may appear in historical or contemporary references. The pronunciation is language-informed and typically stressed on the first syllable in many contexts.
Labatt is a proper noun used as a brand name (as in Labatt Brewing Company). It functions as a surname in some contexts and as a corporate brand identifier in English-language discourse. The term is pronounced as a two-syllable proper noun with initial stress on the first syllable, and it is typically used in references to beer, licensing, or corporate history rather than everyday common nouns.
Labels refers to pieces of paper or other markers that identify or classify something, or to brand names and taglines used to categorize items, people, or ideas. The plural form denotes multiple labels, often used in contexts like shipping, organization, or data tagging. In linguistics or publishing, it can also describe labels on diagrams or figures. It conveys a cohesive sense of names or tags applied to objects.
