chemin faisant

French

Etymology

Literally, “doing way”, with the positioning of the present participle after its complement which was frequent in Old French[1] (the modern French equivalent would be faisant chemin). Compare tambour battant, Belle au bois dormant.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ʃə.mɛ̃ f(ə).zɑ̃/
  • Audio(file)

Adverb

chemin faisant

  1. on the way
    Synonym: en cours de route

References
  1. Léopold Constans (1890) Chrestomathie de l'ancien français (IXe-XVe siècles)‎ (in French), page 15
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