code napoleon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, academic, historical, legal
Quick answer
What does “code napoleon” mean?
The French civil code established under Napoleon I, forming the basis of modern civil law in France and influencing many other legal systems.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The French civil code established under Napoleon I, forming the basis of modern civil law in France and influencing many other legal systems.
The term is often used metaphorically to refer to a comprehensive, systematic, and authoritative set of rules or principles governing a particular field.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties; it's a borrowed French term used in the same technical/historical contexts.
Connotations
Conveys notions of systematization, central authority, and rational order. Can have slightly negative connotations when used metaphorically to imply excessive rigidity.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language, appearing almost exclusively in historical, legal, or political academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “code napoleon” in a Sentence
The [noun] was modelled on the Code Napoléon.Scholars study the impact of the Code Napoléon on [legal system].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “code napoleon” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Code Napoléon provisions remain influential.
- It was a Code Napoléon moment for the new regulations.
American English
- The Code Napoléon articles were foundational.
- He proposed a Code Napoléon-style overhaul of the bylaws.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of international business law, e.g., 'Contract law in that jurisdiction derives from the Code Napoléon.'
Academic
Primary context. Used in law, history, and political science to discuss the development of modern civil law systems.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Only used by non-specialists in a metaphorical sense.
Technical
Standard term in comparative law and legal history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “code napoleon”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “code napoleon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “code napoleon”
- Incorrect capitalization: 'code Napoleon' or 'Code Napoleon'. The 'N' in Napoléon should be capitalized and retain the accent in formal writing.
- Using it as a plural ('Codes Napoléon'). It is a singular, proper noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are synonymous terms for the French civil code established under Napoleon Bonaparte.
It was promulgated in stages, with the final version adopted in 1804. It was originally called the 'Civil Code of the French'; the name 'Code Napoléon' was made official in 1807.
In formal and historical writing, it should be capitalized as a proper noun: 'Code Napoléon'. Lowercase use is sometimes seen in metaphorical, generic senses (e.g., 'a code napoleon for office conduct'), but this is informal.
Its main legacy is the establishment of a clear, accessible, and systematic written civil code, promoting legal equality and secular law, which became the model for civil law systems across Europe, Latin America, and other parts of the world.
The French civil code established under Napoleon I, forming the basis of modern civil law in France and influencing many other legal systems.
Code napoleon is usually formal, academic, historical, legal in register.
Code napoleon: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊd nəˈpəʊliən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊd nəˈpoʊliən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Something] is the Code Napoléon of [field].”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: Napoleon wanted to CODE his empire's laws into one powerful book - the CODE he wrote.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF RULES IS A LEGAL CODE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the 'Code Napoléon' primarily associated with?