gibier de potence

French
FWOTD – 3 April 2019

Etymology

Literally, “gallows game”, similar construction to English gallows bird and German Galgenvogel.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ʒi.bje d(ə) pɔ.tɑ̃s/
  • Audio (Paris)(file)

Noun

gibier de potence m (plural gibiers de potence)

  1. gallows bird (someone destined for or deserving punishment by hanging)
    Synonym: pendard
    • 1855, Honoré de Balzac, Modeste Mignon:
      Pourrais-je aimer un lâche, un homme sans foi, sans honneur, un gibier de potence ?
      Could I love a coward, a man without faith, without honor, a gallows bird?
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