Old French Dictionary (G-L)
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This glossary (G-L) can provide a valuable reference for French words in general use during the 15th century. It also includes words from other European languages as well, such as Latin and Greek, that heavily influenced the French language of the era. This dictionary may also explore the derivation of certain words or phrases in order to further clarify their meaning. The French language has undergone many changes over the last 500 years, mostly due to alterations in lifestyles, and improvements in technology. All this must be taken into account when attempting to translate Old French prophecies like those of Nostradamus.
Gand - (O.F. n.) Ghent
Garde - (O.F. n.) guard, warden, officer
Garder - (O.F. v.) guard against, defend
Garse - (O.F. n.) a whore, prostitute
Gaulois/Galois - (O.F. n.) French, the French people
Gaule - (O.F. n.f.) France
Gebenoise - (O.F. n.) of Holland
Gelee - (O.F. n.) ice, frost
Genevoise - (O.F. n.) of Geneva
Gennes - (O.F. n.f.) Genoa
Gens - (O.F. n.) human beings, people
Gent - (O.F. n.) a nation, a regime, a people
Germain/Germanie - (F. n.a.) Germany, German
Gire
- (O.F. v.) gyrate, spin, turn
note: from Latin/Castillian/Spanish "gire/gira" - turn, gyrate
Globes - (O.F. n. plur.) globes, cylinders
Glomes - (O.F. n.) tight group, conglomerate
Gorgon - (O.F. n.) Dragon, Satan, Beast, Antichrist
Goulfre - (O.F. n.) gulf
Grand - (F. a.) grand, great
Grandemont - (O.F. a.) very greatly
Grand Armee - (O.F. n.) a great army, Napoleon's "Grand Armee" of France
Grans/Grands - (O.F. a.) great, grand, large
Gravee - (O.F. a.) grave, serious, obstinate, stubborn
Gravier - (O.F. n.) sand, gravel
Griphon - (O.F. n.) griffon
Gris - (O.F. a.) grey, raw, cold
Grogne - (O.F. n.) a growing disappointment, a problem
Guarde - (O.F. n.) guard, defense
Guerdonnez - (O.F. a.) supported
Guerre - (O.F. n.) war, warlike attack
Guerir - (O.F. v.) heal, recover, mend
Guet - (O.F. v.) watch, see
Hanix - (O.F. n.) a grunting effort,
Harange - (O.F. n.) harange, raving
Hauste - (O.F. v.) hoist, raise
Haut/Haute
- (O.F. a.) profoundly, great, lofty, high, a superior or safer position
Hay - (F. a.) hated, disliked
Hecatombe - (O.F. n.) slaughter, holocaust
Hemispere - (O.F. n.) hemisphere
Herault - (O.F. n.) master-at-arms
Hermes - (O.F. n.) Hermes, god of Hellas (Greece)
Heureux - (O.F. n.) a time of peace
Heurlements - (O.F. n.) howls, moans
Herne
- (O.F. n.f.) a gentile lady
note: shortened form of "heroine"
Hierarchie - (O.F. n.) hierarchy, leadership
Hister
- (L. n.) Hitler
note: Nostradamus' clever wordplay on the name of Adolph Hitler, combining
"Hitler" with "Ister," giving both Hitler's name and place of origin. The Latin
name for the Danube region was "Ister" from the German spring celebration
held there honoring "Ishtar", the Babylonian goddess of fertility. This eventually
turned into our modern Easter (Ister, Eoster) celebration.
Hom/Hommage - (O.F. n.) homage
Hom/Homme - (O.F. n.) man, mankind
Honneur - (F. n.) honor
Honore - (F. a.) honored
Horreur - (O.F. n.) horror
Horrible - (O.F. a.) horrible
Horrifique - (O.F. a.) terrible, horrific
Hors - (O.F. p.) out, without, out of proportion, overwhelming, etc..
Hosce/Hos
- (L. p.) this, these, those etc..
Hostaige - (O.F. n.) hostage
Hostera - (O.F. v. fut.) will take hostage, will capture
Huile - (O.F. n.) oil
Huille - (O.F. a.) stained as if by oil
Humains - (F. n.) human beings, mankind, humanity
Ignorans - (O.F. a.) ignorant, unknowing
Il/Ils - (O.F. a.) he, they, etc..
Immeurs - (O.F. n.) immersion, commitment, an undertaking
Immortel - (O.F. a.) immortal
Incompetant - (O.F. a.) incompetent, immature
Index - (L. n.) forefinger
Indigne - (O.F. n.) indignity, affront, injury, unworthiness
Ineptos - (O.F. a.) inept
Infame - (F. n.) ignominity, disgrace, worthlessness
Infelice - (O.F. a.) unlucky, unfortunate
Infernaux - (O.F. a.) infernal
Infidelle - (O.F. n.) Mohammedans, sons of Ishmael
Inique - (L. a.) iniquitous, wicked, evil
Inhabitees
- (L. a.) inhabited
note: from Latin "inhabito" - to inhabit
Inobeissant - (O.F. a.) disobedient
Inondation - (F. n.) inundation, deluge
Inonde - (O.F. p.) inundated, deluged, overwhelmed, drowned
Inscium - (L. a.) ignorant
Insolit - (O.F. a.) strange, unusual
Insuspect - (O.F. a.) under suspicion, undercover
Invahir - (O.F. n.) an invasion
Ir/Iront - (O.F. v.) going angrily, attacking
Isles - (O.F. n.) isles, British Isles
Islu - (O.F. a.) issued
Ismaelites - (O.F. n.) Arabs
Istra
- (L. v.) venture forth, go forth
note: similar to O.F. "sortira"
Italie - (O.F. n.f.) Italy
Jamais - (O.F. p.) never, not ever, etc..
Jambe - (O.F. n.) leg
Jeune - (F. a.) young, fresh
Jeur - (F. n.) day
Joie/Joye - (F. n.) joy
Joinct - (F. a.) joined
Jour - (O.F. n.) day
Journaulx - (O.F. n.) journal, record of the past
Judie - (O.F. n.) Judea
Juge - (O.F. p.) judged
Jurez - (O.F. n.) the sworn, jury members
Juriste - (O.F. n.) judge
Jusque - (O.F. p.) til, untill, unto, even to, up to, etc..
Jusques - (O.F. a.) judged, adjudged
Juste - (O.F. a.) just
La - (O.F. a.p. f.) the
Lac - (O.F. n.) lake
Laisse - (O.F. v.) to leave, let go of, let loose
Lampe - (F. n.) oil lamp
Langue - (O.F. n.f.) language, speech, tongue
Lascher - (O.F. v.) lash, beat, unleash, pound, fire upon
Lasche - (O.F. a.) loose, slack, lowly, cowardly, treacherous
Lasse - (O.F. a.) tired, lazy, weary, etc.
Laude
- (L. n.) laud, praise
note: from Latin "laudo" - to praise
Le/Les - (O.F. a. p.) the
Legis - (O.F. n.) legislation, law
Legent
- (L. v.) read
note: from Latin "lego, legent" - to read, peruse
Legier - (F. a.) quickly, swiftly
Lettres - (O.F. n.) letters, decrees
Leur - (O.F. p.) their
Liberte - (O.F. n.) liberty, freedom
Lict - (O.F. n.) seat, place, bed, a military base or encampment
Liee - (O.F. a.) tied, bound
Lieu/Lieux - (O.F. n.) place, position, lineage
Ligue - (O.F. n.) league, line
Lire - (O.F. v.) to read
Liturgie - (F. n.) Liturgy
Loi/loy - (O.F. n.) law, legal authority
Loing - (O.F. a.) far
L'on - (O.F. v. fut.) he will be, it shall be, etc.
Londres - (O.F. n.f.) London
Long - (O.F. a.) long, outstretched
Long-temps - (O.F. a.) for a long-time, continuous
Longue - (O.F. a.) long, drawn out, delayed, incessant
Lors - (O.F. p.) then, whilst, etc..
Loup - (O.F. n.) wolf
Lui/Luy - (O.F. a.) he, him, the same, his, her, their, them, etc..
Luna/Lune - (F. n.) Moon
Lunaire - (O.F. n.) those of the Crescent Moon, or Middle East
Lux/Luxe - (O.F. n.) (fig.) the prize, the brass ring, the light
Luy - (O.F. p.) the same, he, she, it
Lyon - (O.F. n.) lion, the city Lyon
Lys/Lis - (O.F. n.) Lilly
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The above glossary (G-L) lists specific references to many Old French words that were in general use during the 15th century in France. Its references may also be found in modern French dictionaries such as Cassell's French Dictionary (hardcover edition) and other older texts. The Old French word definitions may often be found under the classical "class." or figurative "fig." definitions. If you can't find the appropriate definition in the French section of the dictionary, try doing a reverse look-up in the English section of the same dictionary. The 15th century Old French language made heavy use of both Latin and Greek words. These Latin and Greek word definitions can be verified by researching the appropriate Latin or Greek dictionaries. These definitions can also sometimes be found in old Bible manuscripts. The Bible writer Paul of Tarsus wrote in the Greek language. Some word definitions have survived almost completely intact into modern times, and can be located by simply typing them into an Internet search engine. If you would like to learn more about the writings of the classical prophets, and how their prophecies may have related to events of the future, please click on the link below and order your copy of Edward Oliver's amazing 350-page book, "Prophets and Frauds."
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