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#134041 10/21/04 11:28 PM
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Bien non, guys, I wasn't saying dxbie was wrong, I was asking where he got that definition. He seems to have gotten it in a dictionary, by the way he wrote it.


#134042 10/22/04 01:32 AM
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Gday Bel

Googled: revetment definition

Returned the following (numerous) definitions:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&oi=defmore&q=define:Revetment+(slope+protection)

stales


#134043 10/22/04 11:35 AM
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Later they used Stone to cover the tops of them for further blastproofing. We referred to those as archy bunkers. But don;t tell anyone else we try to keep it ____________ (fill in the blank here, Good Padre!)



TEd
#134044 10/22/04 02:04 PM
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Aye but those are all English definitions of the word. As we all know, a word can change definitions slightly (or a lot) when it moves from one language to another.

I can't find the French that spefific definition in the dictionaries I've searched through. I also tried Le Robert.

I'm wondering if it isn't a case of a defintion being altered when switched.


#134045 10/22/04 02:52 PM
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This is quite a common occurence, belM. We call 'em false friends. Some would call 'em false cognates, but there's a shade of difference there.

Here are a couple of goodies: résumé has different meanings in the two languages and apparently double entendre doesn't even *exist in French. That so?

PS revestimento in Port. means exactly the same thing as in Fr.

#134046 10/22/04 07:07 PM
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>>double entendre

You're right, it doesn't exist in French. Though we'd certainly need it since we have to say the full "well THAT was an expression with two meanings" sentence when it happens.


#134047 10/22/04 10:42 PM
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but I thought you *did have double entente!?


#134048 10/23/04 09:47 PM
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Not really. Well, not here anyway. We do have "un mot a double sense" (a word with two senses) but it means a word with the same spelling has two different meanings. It isn't used to mean the slightly naughty sense you get with the English "double entendre."

Double entente is used to mean someone is perceived to have two different intentions in doing something. Like if a kid helps a older woman bring her groceries home. He could be doing it because he wants to be nice, but he could also be hoping to get a tip. It means something is ambiguous.

Unless I completely misunderstand the definition of double entendre, isn't it usually used to identify what looks like a straightforward sentence that can be interpreted to have a bit of a naughty, eye-wagging "woo-woo" type of meaning too.

I added a bit to my definitions to make them clearer. I've been thinking about the best way to explain them but it is a bit difficult since it seems like they are closely related. If any one is unclear, let me know.


#134049 10/23/04 09:53 PM
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naughty, eye-wagging "woo-woo" type of meaning

in official terms, yes.





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